LESSON 4 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING

This lesson situates science, technology and the society in the context of Philippine nation
building. It initially surveys contributions of Filipino scientists to science and technology. It then traces
the historical development and impact of science and technology on the various segments of Philippine
society. These discussions are geared toward engaging students in a critical analysis of science and
technology as a tool for nation building.

Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. identify the contributions of the Filipino scientists in science and technology;

2. enumerate critical points in the history of science and technology in the Philippines and how
these developments affected society and the environment; and

3. explain the role of science and technology in nation building.

Explain

Science and technology in the Philippines had its beginnings during the pre-colonial times. During this
period, people used herbal medicine to treat illnesses. To facilitate trading, Filipinos made use of
writing, numerical, measurement, and calendar systems. Farming, fishing, mining, and weaving were the
first livelihood skills developed by Filipinos. In some cases, the techniques Filipinos developed for
livelihood purposes resulted in majestic architectural designs that managed to attract worldwide
attention like the Banaue Rice Terraces of Ifugao.

During the Spanish colonial period, science and technology developed through the establishment of
formal education institutions and the launching of scientific organizations. Schools were mandated to
teach religion, mathematics, reading and writing, music and arts, and health and sanitation. Medicine
and biology were taught in different educational and training institutions. Since agriculture was the
major livelihood of Filipinos, the natives were trained to use innovative approaches in farming. To
construct buildings, churches, bridges, roads and forts, engineering was introduced and developed as
well. The rapid development of scientific principles influenced by Western culture during the Spanish
colonial period was short-changed. This is why agriculture and industrial developments were during the
latter part of the Spanish era. Instead, trade was prioritized due to possible bigger profits.

When the Americans came, institutions for science and technology were reorganized as well. For
example, the former Laboratorio Municipal was replaced by the Bureau of Government Laboratories
under the United States’ Department of Interior. The Bureau was established for the purpose of
studying tropical diseases and pursuing other related research projects. Eventually in 1905, the Bureau
was changed to Bureau of Science, which became the main research center of the Philippines.

In 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was established. Developments in science and
technology during the American regime were focused on agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, food
processing, and forestry. In 1946, the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science.
During the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the role of science and technology in national
development was emphasized. He mandated the Department of Education and Culture, now known as
the Department of Education (DepEd), to promote science courses in public schools. Additional budget
for research projects in applied sciences and science education was granted by Marcos. A big chunk of
the war damage fund from the Japanese was donated to private universities and colleges for the
creation of science and technology-related courses and to promote research. The 35-hectare lot in
Bicutan, Taguig was proclaimed in 1968 as the Philippine Science Community, now the site of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Seminars, workshops, training programs, and
scholarships on fisheries and oceanography were also sponsored by the government during Marcos’
presidency. The Philippine Coconut Research Institute (PHILCORIN) was tasked to promote the
modernization of the coconut industry. Several agencies and organizations were then established like
the Philippine Textile Research Institute, Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (now the Philippine
Nuclear Institute), National Grains Authority (now the National Food Authority), Philippine Council for
Agricultural Research (now the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and
Development), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA), Philippine National Oil Company, Plant Breeding Institute, International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Forest Products, and the National Committee on
Geological Sciences. The National Science Development Board (NSDB) was reorganized as the National
Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) in 1981. In 1976, Marcos established the National Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST) to be the reservoir of scientific and technological expertise in the
country. Salary increases for teachers and administrators at the Philippine Science High School was
granted and the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School were established
during Marcos’ time.

In 1986, under President Corazon Aquino, NSTA was renamed DOST. This was done in order for the
science and technology sector to be represented in the cabinet and thus play an integral role in the
country’s sustainable economic recovery and growth. The Science and Technology Master Plan penned
by DOST aimed to update the production sector, improve research activities, and develop
infrastructures for the science and technology sector.

In 1987, during the presidency of Fidel Ramos, the Philippines had approximately 3,000 competent
scientists and engineers. The “Doctors to the barrio” Program made healthcare accessible even in far-
flung areas in the country. Incentives were given to people who played significant roles in the science
and technology sector. The National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology was
created for high school students who wanted to major in science and engineering in college. It was also
during Ramos’ term that a number of laws and statutes related to the science and technology sector
were mandated such as RA 8439: Magna Carta for Scientist Engineers, Researchers and other Science
and Technology Personnel in Government; RA 7687: Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994; RA
7459: Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act; and RA 8293: The Intellectual Property Code of the
Philippines.

RA 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and RA 8792: Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 were both
signed and mandated during the term of President Joseph Estrada. He was also responsible for
implementing cost-effective irrigation technologies and providing basic health care services for those
who could not afford them.
During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the science and technology sector
were developed to strengthen the education system and to address poverty. The term Filipinnovation
was coined to refer to the Philippines as an innovation hub in Asia. Arroyo also promulgated RA 9367:
Biofuels Act, to utilize indigenous materials as sources of energy. However, the act was not able to
produce positive outcomes because of the lack of technology to source raw materials. It was also in
Arroyo’s term that farmers were encouraged to use rice that can withstand environmental hazards. RA
10601: Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law was also passed to modernize
agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.

In 2014, President Benigno Aquino III named new National Scientists namely, Gavino C. Trono, for
Marine Biology, Angel C. Alcala, for Biological Science, Ramon C. Barba, for Horticulture, and Edgardo D.
Gomez, also for Marine Biology.

Today, in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the science and technology sector is seen to
be a priority based on the budget for research and development (R&D) that grew by nearly six times
over the same period. Formulation of programs and policies that will aid in shaping the country is
backed up President Duterte. The focus of DOST is to put the results of R&D into commercialization in
order to gain new intellectual properties. Currently, the Philippines has the Philippine Space Technology
Program which launched Diwata-2 in 2018 after the launch of Diwata-1 in 2016 that displayed the
Philippine flag in space. Besides space technology, the current administration also gives importance to
agriculture and disaster preparedness.

Science and Technology in the Philippines and the Environment

Science and technology have numerous contributions to society. The mechanization of farming, for
instance, is necessary for agriculture, being the number one source of food production. Agricultural
development needs to cope with the rapidly and exponentially growing population. Tools such as water
pumps and sprinklers help in managing the damaging effects of extreme heat caused by climate change
on crops. Science and technology have also made it possible to produce genetically modified crops,
which grow faster and are more resistant to pests. Fertilizers that increase nutrients in soil enhance the
growth of the crops and produce high-quality yields. However, many researches show that genetically
modified crops and fertilizers made from strong chemicals are not environment friendly. Science and
technology has improved transportation by land, air, and sea. Communication has also improved
through technological advancements. With the internet and the rise of social media, information is
transmitted easily and rapidly. Through technological developments, ways of learning also changed.
Learning management systems used in education are now accessible through computers, mobile
phones, tablets, and other gadgets. Online learning has also become popular in various disciplines like
mathematics, physics, biology, geography, economics, and others.

These contributions of science and technology, however, always come with adverse impacts especially
on the environment. One is resource depletion. The increasing number of new and advanced
technologies in the production and manufacture of different goods and services results in the depletion
of the Earth’s natural resources. Wastes are also generated as these technologies are developed. People
have also become too dependent on science and technology making them disregards its consequences
that may be damaging to the environment.
Elaborate

Make a research on the following Filipino scientists and inventors and give their most significant
contribution to Philippine nation-building.

1. Paulo Campos 8. Ame Garong

2. Angel Alcala 9. Raymundo Punongbayan

3. Ricardo Sigua 10. Gavino Tronio

4. Maria Ligaya Braganza 11. Proceso Alcala

5. Baldomero Olivera 12. Alfredo Galang

6. Dioscoro Umali 13. Benito Lumen

7. Diosdado Banatao

Evaluate

1. Give twenty (20) Filipino scientists and identify their contributions in science and technology.
How did their contributions help build the Philippine nation?

2. What are the critical points in the history of science and technology in the Philippines and how
these developments affected the society and the environment?

3. What is the role of Science and Technology in nation-building?