Marcos Era and Martial Law

Science was given importance during the Marcos Regime. In the amended 1973 Philippine Constitution,
Article XV, Section 9 (1), he declared that the “advancement of science and technology shall have
priority in national “Development”. In his two terms of presidency and during Martial Law, many laws
were enacted promoting science and technology.

On January 23, 1967, he declared that science was necessary for the development programs, and thus,
directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science courses in public high schools. DepEd and
the National Science Development Board (NSDB) organized a project to provide selected high schools
with science teaching equipment over a four-year period.

In 1968 technology was recognized as the leading factor in economic development and thus additional
funds were channeled to support projects in applied sciences and science education. A big part of the
war damage funds was allocated to fund private universities and encourage them to pursue programs in
science, technology and research. Seminars were also conducted for public and private high school and
college science teachers. Training programs and scholarships were awarded to graduate and
undergraduate science scholars.

The National Science Development Board established the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission to
explore the uses of atomic energy for economic development. Marcos assisted 107 institutions in
undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists, engineers, doctors and technicians to study
nuclear science and technology abroad.

Major development projects to reform education were done and which included research and
development, establishment of technical institutes, science education centers, and agricultural colleges
and vocational high schools. The Philippine Council for Agricultural Research was also established to
support the progressive development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the country. The Council
was attached to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for administrative purposes.

Another agency was established by Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972 and this is the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) under the Department of National
Defense. Its function was to provide environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to
ensure the safety of the people. |

The Philippine National Oil Company was also created to promote industrial and economic development
through effective and efficient use of energy sources (P.D. No. 334, s. 1973).
In 1976, the National Academy of Science and Technology was established and was composed of
scientists with “innovative achievement in the basic and applied sciences” to serve as a reservoir of
scientific and technological expertise for the country.

In 1979, the government funded scientific research conducted by National Science Development Board
(NSDB), the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research and Resources, the Plant Breeding Institute, the
International Rice Research Institute, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the Bureau of Forest Products.

The National Committee on Geological Sciences was created in 1980 to advise government and private
entities on matters pertaining to geological sciences (Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980).

By virtue of Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982, the National Science Development Board and its support
agencies was reorganized and was named National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) to provide
central direction and coordination of scientific and technological research and development.

The Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School were established in 1986 to
encourage careers in science and technology and to be more accessible to the talented students in the
Mindanao Visayas areas in accordance with Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986.

Fifth Republic | During Corazon Aquino’s presidency

The National Science and Technology Authority was replaced by the Department of Science and
Technology, giving the department a representation in the cabinet. Under the Medium Term Philippine
Development Plan for the years 1987-1992, science and technology’s role in economic recovery and
sustained economic growth was highlighted. Science and technology was one of the three priorities of
the government towards an economic recovery.

The first Science and Technology Master Plan of STMP was formulated on August 8, 1988. Its goal was
for the Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country status for the year 2000.
During President Corazon Aquino’s term, she encouraged scientists and inventors to bring the
Philippines to its former position as second to Japan in science and technology and to achieve the status
as an industrialized country in 2000.

R.A. 6656 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened free education at the secondary
level. Together with this was implemented the “Science for the Masses Program” which aimed at
scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos.

President Fidel V. Ramos’ Term

There were noticeable improvements regarding science and technology during President Fidel V. Ramos’
term. There was a significant increase m personnel specializing in science and technology. In 1988, the
Philippines was estimated to have around 3,000 competent scientists and engineers.

During the Ramos administration, the Department of Science and Technology initiated a Science and
Technology Agenda for Development (STAND) which embodies the country’s task development plan for
19931998. In 1998, a presidential task force was formed to deal with the overall problems confronting
Research and Development and Science and Technology development in the country. It was tasked to
formulate a Science and Technology development program that would support the national
development goal of attaining a newly industrialized country (NIC) status by the year 2000. The task
force was composed of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communication, as well as the
adviser on public resources and three academic institutions involved in science and technology.

Another Science and Technology framework plan entitled ‘Competence. Competitive Conscience: the
Medium-Term Plan of the Department of Science and Technology (1999-2004). Its six (6) flagship
programs are:

1) Comprehensive program to enhance technology enterprises;

2) Integrated program on clean technologies;

3) Establishment of a packaging R and D center;

4) Expansion of regional meteorology centers;

5) S & T intervention program for the poor, vulnerable and disabled; and

6) Comprehensive science and technology program for Mindanao.

Among its priorities were: (1) exporting winners identified by the DTI, (2) domestic needs identified by
Presidential Council for Countryside Development; (3) support industries and (4) coconut industry
development. Among the laws enacted by Congress during President Ramos’ term were the (1) Magna
Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (R.A. 8439); (2) Science and Technology Scholarship Law of
1004 (R.A. No. 7687) and (4) Inventors and Inventions incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459). The
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) was also enacted which provides
industrial property rights, copyrights and related rights, and technology transfer arrangements.

President Joseph Estrada’s Term

During the term of President Joseph Estrada, two major legislations that he signed were the Philippine
Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) which was designed to protect and preserve the
environment and ensure the sustainable development of its natural resources, and Electronic
Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) which outlaws computer hacking and provides
opportunities for new businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy.

Aside from these, he launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation technologies. He
also announced that dole-outs are out, which meant basic health care, basic nutrition, and useful
education for those who want, but cannot afford it.

President Gloria M. Arroyo’s Term

In the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the science and technology sector of the Philippines was
dubbed as the “golden age” of science and technology by secretary Estrella Alabastro. There were
numerous laws and projects that concern both the environment and science to push technology as a
tool to increase the country’s economic level. This is to help increase the productivity from Science,
Technology and Innovations (STI) and help benefit the poor people. Moreover, the term “Filipinovation”
was the coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia.
The Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) was developed further by strengthening the schools and
education system such as the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), which focuses on science,
technology and mathematics in their curriculum. This helps schools produce and get more involved in
this sector. Private sectors were also encouraged to participate in developing the schools through
organizing events and sponsorships. Future Filipino scientists and innovators can be produced through
this system:

Helping the environment was one of the foci in developing technology in the Philippines. One of the
more known laws to be passed by her administration was the R.A. 9367 or the “Biofuels” Act. This act
promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the country. This potentially enables a
cheaper alternative to gasoline as a medium in producing energy. Also, this benefits the

environment since it boasts a cleaner emission compared to regular fuel. Yet, setbacks such as lack of
raw materials is holding the full implementation of the laws since importing the necessary materials are
imported more. On one hand, drought-free rice was also highly encouraged to be used during her term.
This enables farmers to produce rice despite the environmental hazards that slows or stops the
production.

President Benigno C. Aquino Ill’s Term

in an effort to improve the efficiency of both land and water, the government passed Republic Act 10601
which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Mechanization (AFMech). RA 10601 also
covers research, development, and extension (RDE), promotion, distribution, supply, assembling,
manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance and project implementation of agricultural and
fisheries machinery and equipment.

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino was considered as the “father of Organic Agriculture” because of his
work on the Organic Agricultural Act of 2010 (R.A. 10068). Developments regarding the research and
technology of Philippine agriculture are currently in the works. Most of the researches are inclined in
solving the problem of increasing hunger in the country by creating a more efficient and cheaper process
of yielding produce. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international research
consortium, including the Philippines, which serves to improve the rice production and quality through
biotechnology and research. Overall records and statistics about Philippine agricultural growth is
provided by the Country STAT Philippines. In 2014, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 6.13%.
The gross value added (GVA) in agriculture and fishing went up by 1.60% and this accounted for 10% of
the GDP increase.
The Harmonized Agenda for Science and Technology was presented to President Aquino in 2014 and ft
included two crucial issues, inclusive growth and disaster risk reduction.

On May 23, 2016, Republic Act No. 19844, otherwise known as DICT Act of 2015, was signed into law.
Under this law, the Department of Information and Communications Technology will take charge of
planning, developing, and promoting the national ICT development agenda.

Science Education in the Philippines

Science is important to everyone. School science education should support the development of scientific
literacy in all students as well as motivate them to pursue careers in science, technology, and
engineering. Science useful because of its links to technology and industry, which, from a national
perspective, are areas of high priority for development. It develops students' scientific inquiry schools,
values, and attitudes, such as objectivity, curiosity, and honesty and habits of mind including critical
thinking.

In the Philippines and around the world, people are talking about a science and technology-based world
and a knowledge-based economy. Given the expectations and skills required to live successfully in such
an environment and the varied problems of science education in the country, there is a need to rethink
what the vision of science education is.

One of the questions that maybe asked is: Does the science curriculum in basic education provide
avenues for students to engage in science and encourage them to take science-related careers?

The implementation of the K-12 basic education program does not bode well for science education.
Science education starts only in Grade 3 which is not comforting for the improvement of science and
math education.

The new science program decongests the competencies and arranges them in spiral progression. While
in the old curriculum, a specific discipline is being offered per grade level such that general science is
offered in the first year, biology In the second year, chemistry in the third year and physics for the fourth
year. In the K-12 program the different disciplines in science which are life science, chemistry, physics
and earth science are incorporated in every level. in terms of instruction, the science program shifts
from traditional methods of teaching to a more innovative exploration that emphasizes the
enhancement of the students’ critical thinking and scientific skills. The new curriculum utilizes learner-
centered approach such as the inquiry based learning pedagogy.