Science and Technology and Nation Building

Science and Technology and Nation
Building
Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines
Pre – Colonial Period
Even before the Spain colonized the country, some indigenous science and
technology has already existed with regards to agriculture like farming, animal
raising, and the utilization of plants and herbs as medicines. The use of
technology is evident in the in handicrafts, pottery, weaving, and tools used by
ancient Filipinos in their everyday life.
Innovation and ingenuity were unmistakable by the way native Filipinos built the
rice terraces by hand. They also developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking,
fishing, and also for fighting enemies during tribal conflicts. They used
indigenous technology in building houses, irrigations and transportation,
both on land and on waterways.
The ancient practices in science and technology by our ancestors are now
considered as indigenous science or folk science.
Colonial Period
Spanish colonization paved way to modern means of construction. Roads,

bridges, churches, and other large infrastructures were built with more
sophistication using some engineering skills and tools brought by the
Spaniards. In addition, Spanish colonizers developed health and education

system in the country.
The American colonial rule modernized almost all aspects of life in the country.
They established the Bureau of Science to initiate the development in the field
of science and technology.
Post – Colonial Period
After achieving independence from the colonial masters, the Philippines, under
different administrations, continued to pursue programs in science and
technology. Each leadership had its own S&T agenda. However, it is important
to note that some Philippine presidents introduced more developments in the
field than others, which you will find out soon as you course through this topic.
Filipino Presidents and their Contributions in the Development of Science and
Technology in the Philippines
Philippine Presidents and the Status

of S&T during their administration
Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (1957 - 1961)

-lack of support of experimental work
-marginal budget for scientific
research
-low salaries of scientists employed by
the government
-established the National Science
Development Board
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos (1965 - 1986)
-directed the Department of Education

to revitalize the science courses in
public high schools
-channelled additional funds to
support projects in applied sciences
and science education
-he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan,
Taguig, Rizal as the site of the
Philippine Science Community
-scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and workshops
on fisheries and oceanography
-added the Philippine Coconut Research Institute to the NSDB to modernize the
coconut industry.
-support for the promotion of scientific research and invention with Presidential
Decree No. 49, s. 1972
-he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish
the National Academy of Science and Technology
He enacted a law on the completion of the National Agriculture and Life
Sciences Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños
(Executive Order No. 840, s. 1982)
- he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science
High School to encourage careers in science and technology
-established other research institutes like PAGASA, National Grains Authority,
Philippine Council for Agricultural Research, Philippine National Oil Company
among others
Pres. Corazon Aquino (1986 - 1992)
-National Science and Technology

Authority was replaced by the
Department of Science and
Technology
-science and technology's role in
economic recovery and sustained
economic growth was highlighted
-created the Presidential Task Force
for Science and Technology which
came up with the first Science and
Technology Master Plan or STMP
-Executive Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the
“Philippine Inventors Incentive Act.”
-gave assistance to Filipino inventors through giving financial aid, patent
application assistance, legal assistance, and to help inventors market their
products domestically and abroad
-R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors
to free education up to the secondary level
“Science for the Masses Program” which aimed at scientific and technological
literacy among Filipinos
Pres. Fidel V. Ramos (1992 - 1998)
-significant increase in personnel

specializing in the science and
technology field
-addition of Philippine Science High
Schools in Visayas and Mindanao
- government provided 3,500
scholarships for students who were
taking up professions related to S&T
-Schools were becoming more modernized and updated with the addition of
high- tech equipment for student
-Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and
Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439) was established
-award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for people who
have been influential in the field of S&T (Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act
or Republic Act No. 7459)
-programs such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and
Technology
-enactment of a law creating a nationwide system of high schools specializing in
the field of science and engineering (Science and Technology Scholarship Law
of 1994)
enacted the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No.
8293)
Pres. Joseph Estrada (1998 - 2001)
launched a full-scale program based

on cost-effective irrigation
technologies
-establishment of one science high
school in every province
-advancement of industries and
schools into the Internet age,
-passage of the e-Commerce Act
Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001 -
2010)
-the science and technology sector of
the Philippines was dubbed as the
"golden age“ during her term
-Numerous laws and projects that
concerns both the environment and
science to push technology as a tool
to increase the country's economic
level
-the term "Filipinnovation" was the
coined term used in helping the
Philippines to be an innovation hub in
Asia
-Science Technology and Innovations (STI) was developed further by
strengthening the schools and education system such as the Philippine Science
High School (PSHS), which focuses in science, technology and mathematics in
their curriculum
imposes Republic Act 10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries
Sector through Mechanization (AFMech)
Filipino Scientists and their Inventions
Here is a list of some Filipino scientists and inventors, together with their
contributions in shaping the science and technology of the Filipino nation.
Dr. Arturo Alcaraz (1916 - 2001)
Dr. Arturo Alcaraz is a volcanologist

specializing in geothermal energy
development. In 1967, Arturo Alcaraz
and team powered an electric light
bulb using steam-powered electricity.
This was the first
geothermal power generated in the
Philippines.
Julian Banzon (1908 - 1988)
Filipino chemist, Julian Banzon

researched methods of producing
alternative fuels. Julian Banzon
experimented with the production of
ethyl esters fuels from sugarcane and
coconut.
Pedro Escuro (1923 - 2000)
Filipino scientist, Pedro Escuro is best
known for his isolation of nine rice
varieties, thus was renowned by
developing rice breeding in the
country. The Pedro Escuro rice
varieties are: Milpal 4,
HBD-2, Azmil 26 and C-22 and C-18,
C4-63, C4-137, C-168 and
C-12.
Dr. Francisco Fronda (1896 - 1986)
Dr. Francisco Fronda is known as the

Father of poultry science in the
Philippines. Francisco Fronda has
improved methods of production for
the poultry and livestock industry.
Felix Maramba (1897)
Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-

fueled power generator. He also is the
developer of one of the world's most
profitable biogas systems.
Luz Oliveros Belardo (1906 - 1999)
Filipino chemist, Luz Oliveros Belardo

researched the phytochemical
properties of plants in the Philippines
for natural products, essential oils,
and the medicinal qualities.
Emerita De Guzman
Filipino scientist Emerita De Guzman

researched the propagation of pure
macapuno trees. Her research led to
the faster propagation of pure
macapuno trees and increased
macapuno nut production from 3-5
macapuno nuts to 14-19 nuts (1980).
She also invented
tissue culture techniques for the rapid
propagation of abaca and banana
plants.
Dr. Fe Del Mundo (1911 - 2011)
Filipino doctor, Fe Del Mundo is

credited with studies that lead to the
invention of an improved incubator
and a jaundice relieving device.
Gregorio Zara (1902 - 1978)
Famous Filipino Scientist, Gregorio

Zara invented, made improvements
to, or discovered the following:
invented the two- way television
telephone or videophone (1955)
patented as a "photo phone signal
separator network"; discovered the
physical
law of electrical kinetic resistance
called the Zara effect (around 1930);
invented an airplane engine that ran
on plain alcohol as fuel (1952).
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Science and Technology and Nation

Pre – Colonial Period

Spanish colonization paved way to modern means of construction. Roads,

Spaniards. In addition, Spanish colonizers developed health and education

Philippine Presidents and the Status

Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (1957 - 1961)

-directed the Department of Education

-National Science and Technology

-significant increase in personnel

launched a full-scale program based

Dr. Arturo Alcaraz is a volcanologist

Filipino chemist, Julian Banzon

Dr. Francisco Fronda is known as the

Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-

Filipino chemist, Luz Oliveros Belardo

Filipino scientist Emerita De Guzman

Filipino doctor, Fe Del Mundo is

Famous Filipino Scientist, Gregorio

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