Lesson 4: A General Survey on the Unfolding of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Alongside writing and counting systems that were already in place even before the Spaniards
colonized the archipelago, the country's rich history of science and technology was fueled by rich
natural resources, which were-by and large-the source of medicinal and therapeutic products and
methods of early settlers. Even then, Filipino ancestors displayed keen awareness of the country's
opulent flora and fauna and an ability to transform these readily-available resources to meet their
daily and survival needs. Aside from this, precolonial Filipinos also exhibited advanced
engineering knowledge as evidenced by the Banaue Rice Terraces, which is a hallmark of
Philippine science and technology at the time (Reyes, 1972).
The arrival of the Spaniards in the country sped up the development of science and technology in
the country. The catalyst of this period's advancement is, of course, the introduction of formal
education and the establishment of scientific institutions. With an understanding of the state of
science and technology before they settled in the archipelago, the Spaniards focused on
furthering the area of agriculture among other areas. Rodriguez (1996) also claimed that the
colonizers' recognition of the country's lush flora and fauna entailed an emphasis on biology in
formal education, which is evidenced by a number of botanists who advanced the study of
endemic fauna in the country. Unfortunately, however, the rise of the Galleon trade meant that
agriculture at the time was left relatively underemphasized.
The American period continued the progress made during the Spanish era. As Philippine
governance and bureaucracy took form and stabilized during the American rule, science and
technology progressed at the helm of the Bureau of Government Laboratories established in
1901, which dealt with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. This waslater
replaced by the Bureau of Science in 1905, which was the country's primary research center
when World War II broke out (Cariño, 1993). In 1933, the National Research Council of the
Philippines was established, which played an important role in the advancement of science and
technology at the time (Reyes, 1972). In 1946, the Bureau of Science was replaced by the
Institute of Science. In terms of legislation, the seminal statute passed during this era that
facilitated the further advancement of science and technology was the Science Act of 1958,
establishing the National Science Development Board (Cariño, 1993).
Under these government bureaus during the American period, science geared towards the
country's traditional strengths, such as agriculture, forestry, medicine, pharmacy, and food
processing, which is a seeming recognition of the country's rich natural resources, as was the
case during the Spanish rule.
The administration of Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. placed greater importance on science and
technology. Advancement of science and technology became not merely a research area, but a
matter of national development. This is corroborated by the fact that the prevailing constitution
at the time, the 1973 Philippine Constitution, in Article XV Section 9 declared, "advancement of
science and technology shall have priority in the national development." Raising the status of
science and technology as a matter of national policy, the era saw the enactment of various laws
that drove the development of science and technology in the country. Several agencies and
organizations were established, such as the National Grains Authority (now the National Food
Authority), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the National Committee on
Geological Sciences, among others. In 1976, Marcos established the National Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST) to be the reservoir of scientific and technological expertise in
the country. In succeeding administrations, emphasis on science and technology as a pivotal
component of national progress was played out in many various ways. Cariño (1993) reported
that Corazon Aquino's presidency placed an even greater emphasis on science and technology on
its role towards economic recovery and sustained economic growth, as articulated in the Medium
Term Philippine Development Plan of 1987-1992. President Fidel Ramos believed that science
and technology was one of the means through which the Philippines could attain the status of a
newly industrialized country. Unsurprisingly, it was during his term as president that the number
of science and technology personnel and scholars grew speedily. This was facilitated by the
passing of Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel. During
President Joseph Estrada's term, two key laws relating to science and technology were passed:
Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999 and Republic Act 8790 or the Electronic
Commerce Act of 2000. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration was dubbed as the
"golden age" of science and technology in the Philippines (Rodriguez, 1996). During Arroyo's
presidency, numerous laws and projects were passed to push technology as a key to economic
progress. During the term of President Benigno Aquino III, efforts were exerted to further
improve science and technology. Laws such as Republic Act 10601 or the Agricultural and
Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law, which aims to beef up agriculture and fisheries through
mechanization, and Republic Act 10692 or the PAGASA Modernization Act, which compels and
provides support for the Philippine weather bureau to modernize its technological operational
capacity and further strengthen its role as the national weather agency and become a center of
excellence in weather information services, were signed into law. It was also under the term of
President Aquino III that the Republic Act 10844 or the Department of Information and
Communication Technology Act of 2015, which recognizes the vital role of information and
communication in nation building thereby establishing the DICT, was signed into law Finally,
under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte the signing of the Republic Act 11035 or
the Balik Scientist Program Act was made possible. With its signing, the law strengthened the
Balik Scientist Program, first established in 1975, by providing support for returning Filipino
scientists from abroad to participate in the Grants-in-Aid research program of the Department of
Science and Technology, in order for the returning scientists to implement their projects in
accordance with government regulations and the need for such programs. The law also provides
for tax and duty exemptions, importation of professional equipment and materials, and free
medical and accident insurance for returning scientists. In 2020, President Duterte conferred the
Order of National Scientist to Emil Q. Javier for his outstanding work in the field of agriculture.
This attempt to trace the history of science and technology is surely rather too concise to account
for the leaps and feats that the Philippines had already made in the area. If one is to fully
understand the state of science and technology in the Philippines one has to look into the history
in greater detail. Nonetheless, from this brief historical review, one can conjecture what had been
and what could be for Philippine science and technology.
Since time immemorial, the Philippines always placed premium upon science and technology
and its role in nation- building. Periods and administrations that have come and gone all
displayed a collective recognition of the significance of science and technology in building a
better Philippines. The number of legislations, scientists, and scientific achievements in the
country suggests the importance of this area to achieve not only national unity but also economic
progress. Hence, one can surmise that if the Philippines is to continue its track towards a more
progressive society and a more robust economy, science and technology has to be a key
component of this endeavor.

Inventions by Filipino Scientists

The Philippines boasts of its own history and tradition of scientific and technological innovation.
Filipino scientists have long been known for their ingenuity. As with all other inventions,
necessity has always been the mother of Philippine inventions. Most of these inventions appealed
to the unique social and cultural context of the archipelagic nation. Even during the precolonial
era, our Filipino ancestors developed scientific and technological innovations focused on
navigation, traditional shipbuilding, textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques,
and even cultural inventions. Some of the most important inventions by Filipino scientists are
discussed below.
Electronic Jeepney. The jeepney is perhaps one of the most recognizable international symbols
of the Philippines and the most popular mode of public transportation in the country. It is also
perhaps one of the most enduring symbols of Filipino ingenuity. They were designed and
improvised from scratch out of military jeeps that the Americans left in the country after World
War II. As demand for more responsive transportation technology arose, the e-jeepney was
introduced in Metro Manila and Bacolod City. The e-jeepney was the inventive response to
criticisms of the traditional jeepney that belched smoke, directly causing air pollution which also
made it unsustainable and uneconomical. The e-jeepneys were designed to be environment-
friendly, as they did not produce noise and belch smoke as do traditional jeepneys. E-jeepneys
are also more sustainable as they run on electricity, limiting the need for diesel and gasoline.
They are also more economical as electricity is far cheaper than ordinary diesel, paving the way
for more profit for jeepney drivers.
Erythromycin. Perhaps one of the most important local medical inventions is the erythromycin.
The Ilonggo scientist Abelardo Aguilar invented this drug out of a strain of bacterium called
Streptomyces erythreus, from which the drug got its name. As with several other local scientists,
however, Aguilar was not credited for this discovery by Eli Lilli Co., Aguilar's US employer, to
whom he sent the strain for separation. The US company eventually owned the credit entirely for
this discovery.
Medical Incubator. World-renowned Filipino pediatrician and National Scientist Fe del Mundo
is credited for her work leading to the invention of the incubator and jaundice-relieving device.
Del Mundo, the first woman pediatrician to be admitted to the prestigious Harvard University's
School of Medicine and founder of the first pediatric hospital in the country, with her pioneering
work in pediatrics that spanned a total of eight decades, won the 1977 Ramon Magsaysay
Award, Asia's premier prize granted to outstanding individuals whose selfless service remarkably
contributed to the betterment of the society. Her original improvised incubator consisted of two
native laundry baskets of different sizes that were placed one inside the other. Warmth was
generated by hot water bottles placed around the machine. A makeshift hood over the baskets
allowed oxygen to circulate inside the incubator. Del Mundo's incubator was particularly
outstanding as it addressed the context of Philippine rural communities that had to contend with
the absence of electricity in trying to regulate the body temperature of newborn babies. For this
purpose, Del Mundo's invention was truly ingenious. World Class Filpina Javentor
Dewart Demole
Mole Remover. In 2000, a local invention that had the ability to easily remove moles and warts
on the skin without the need for any surgical procedure shot to fame. Rolando dela Cruz is
credited for the invention of a local mole remover that made use of extracts of cashew nuts
(Annacardium occidentale), which were very common in the Philippines.
The indigenous formula easily caught on. It was accessible and affordable, was not painful, and
did not leave marks thatsurgical procedures would. Dela Cruz won a gold medal for this
invention in the International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design, and Technology
Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2000.
Banana Ketchup. Filipino food technologist Maria Orosa is credited for the invention of banana
ketchup, a variety of ketchup different from the commonly known tomato ketchup. Her invention
appeals particularly to Filipinos who love using condiments to go along with their food.
Historical accounts posit that Orosa invented the banana ketchup at the backdrop of World War
II when there was a huge shortage of tomatoes. As a result, Orosa developed a variety that made
use of mashed banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices, which were all readily available. Orosa's
banana ketchup is brownish-yellow in natural color, but is dyed red to resemble the color of the
most loved tomato ketchup.
EXERCISE 1. Individual Flash Card Making
Instructions: The following is a list of some of the pillars of Philippine science and technology.
Choose one of the Filipino scientists. Create an A4-sized flash card showcasing your assigned
scientist's biographical information, profession, specialization, and most significant contribution.
Be ready to introduce and present your "Pillar of Philippine Science and Technology" in class.
Needless to say, one or two other students will be working on the same "Pillar."

1. Paulo Campos
2. Gelia Castillo
3. Angel Alcala
4. Lourdes Cruz
5. Ricardo Sigua
6. Dolores Ramirez
7. Baldomero Olivera
8. Maria Ligaya Braganza
9. Diosdado Banatao
10. Perla Santos-Ocampo
11. Ame Garong
12. Carmen Velasquez
13. Raymundo Punongbayan
14. Encarnacion Alzano
15. Gavino Tronio
16. Leticia Afuang
17. Alfredo Galang
18. Alicia Magos
19. Gemma Teresa Narisma
20. Benito O. de Lumen
EXERCISE 2. Group Work (3 members per group)

Instructions: Form a group with students who worked on the same "Pillar of Science and
Technology" in Exercise 1. Then, as a group, work together to identify and discuss the impacts
of their inventions, discoveries, or contribution. Use the following guide questions during your
discussion.

a. What is your scientist's invention, discovery, or contribution in the field of science and
technology in the Philippines?

b. What were the tangible and non-tangible antecedents of the scientist's invention, discovery, or
contribution? Describe the prevailing context in the field prior the work of the scientist.

c. What setbacks and challenges did the scientist face throughout their career? What support
from the government or private institutions did they enjoy?

d. How did the scientist's invention, discovery, or contribution have an impact on Philippine
society?
ASSIGNMENT 3. Metacognitive Reading Report
Name:
Course/Section:
Date Submitted:

Instructions: Students will be randomly assigned one of the three articles listed below. After
reading your assigned article, individually accomplish the Metacognitive Reading Report.

• Caoili, O. (1986). "A History of Science and Technology in the Philippines." University of the
Philippines.
• Dayrit, F. (2011). "Sustainable Development: An Evolving Paradigm for the 21st Century." In
Cuyegkeng, M. A. (Ed.), Stellar Origins, Human Ways: Readings in Science, Technology, and
Society. Ateneo de Manila University Press.
• Gripaldo, R. M. (2007). "The concept of the public good: A view from a Filipino philosopher."
Philosophia: International Journal of Philosophy, 36(2): 82-101.

Use the following links:

Caoili's "A History of Science and Technology ins the Philippines":
https://phlconnect.ched.gov.ph/admin/uploads/ da4902cb0bc38210839714ebdcf0efc3/01-
Readings-4.pdf

. Dayrit's "Sustainable Development": https://www.scribd.com/ document/533800220/Lesson-2-

Sustainable-Development-An -Evolving-Paradigm-for-the-21st-Century
• Gripaldo's "The concept of the public good": https://www.
researchgate.net/publication/289852462_The_concept_of_
the_public_good_A_view_from_a_filipino_philosopher

1. Difficult Concepts
a.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
b.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

C.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
___

2. Learning Insights
a. Before reading the article, I thought that
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

However, after reading the article, I now think/learned that __________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
b. Before reading the article, I thought that ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

However, after reading the article, I now think/learned that ____________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________
c. Before reading the article, I thought that ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
However, after reading the article, I now __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____
3. Discussion Questions
a.
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
C.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_

(note: Avoid using AI in answering)