SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN NATION

BUILDING
Topic Title: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING

OBJECTIVES:
YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO THE FOLLOWING AFTER READING THE INFORMATION SHEET:
a. Discuss the importance of science and technology in the development of the Philippine
country.
b. analyzes government science and technology programs in terms of their contributions to
nation-building; and
c. Identify current government science and technology policies and assess their influence on
the growth of the Filipino country.
Introduction
The impact of science and technology on the development of Philippine society will be
discussed in this lesson. It outlines government initiatives, projects, and policies aimed at
promoting the country's scientific and technical capabilities. This lesson will also feature
talks on indigenous science and technology in the Philippines.

A. SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE

PHILIPPINES
Science and technology have a long history in the Philippines, dating back to when the nation
earned freedom from the American colonizers. The early inhabitants of the archipelago had
its own culture and customs prior to the arrival of the Spanish colonists. They had their own
belief system and indigenous knowledge system, which helped them organize and sustain
their lives and communities for many years. Prior to the country's haptenization, early
Filipinos demonstrated science and technology in their daily lives. Factors like as survival,
culture, and economic activity shaped the 'informal' scientific and technical knowledge that
they displayed and practiced. The scientific understanding of the country's early inhabitants is
shown via their agricultural practices, livestock raising methods, and food production
methods. The early Filipinos' methods and ways of working are today known as 'folk science'
or 'indigenous science' (Serafica and others 2018). The lifestyles of early Filipinos had a
significant impact on the country's scientific and technological development. External
influences such as foreign country colonization, commerce with foreign nations, and
international economic norms are all external causes (Serafica and others 2018).
The country learnt new culture and habits brought by the Spaniards throughout the Spanish
era. The construction of a university where philosophy, theology, and the humanities are
studied – the University of Santo Tomas — was one of the most notable accomplishments of
the Spanish colony (then, College of Santo Tomas). Fray Miguel de Benavides founded the
institution, which is managed by Dominicans. The institution eventually began offering
courses in jurisprudence, canonical law, medicine, and pharmacy (Tegon-Geron and others
2018). More knowledge and technology have entered the nation as a result of the galleon
trade. Foreign ideas, thoughts, technology, and Western culture and customs were permitted
to enter the nation through these exchanges, influencing people's lives (Serafica and others
2018).
The Americans, on the other hand, made significant contributions to the country's scientific
and technological development. One of them is the establishment of a secularized public
education system. The Department of Public Instruction was established by Philippine
Commission Act No. 74 in 1901. This act featured measures that established schools for
Filipinos to get free elementary education. The Philippine Normal School in Manila (now
Philippine Normal University) was also founded by the commission to train Filipino teachers
(Tegon-Geron and others 2018). The primary goal of the Americans in the Philippines was to
develop human resources, and they had a significant influence on the country.
PHILIPPINES IN THE PRE-SPANISH ERA
•Science is ingrained in the people's way of life in pre-Spanish Philippines.
•During the time of the Spanish colonists; the impact of our culture and customs...
•Scientific knowledge may be shown in how they produce crops that give them with food,
and how they care for animals to assist them in their everyday tasks.
•Science may be shown in how they analyze celestial body motions to anticipate seasons and
climates, as well as how they organize days into months and years.
•To prepare the land for agricultural reasons, they apply science.
•They also use herbs for medical purposes.
•People employ technology to build dwellings, irrigation systems, and tools. -They create
tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing, as well as battling their opponents during
wars or tribal disputes. Metal Age: has had a huge impact on Filipinos' lives. - jewelry,
pottery, and metal tools- many opportunities: adjacent nations such as China, Indonesia, and
Japan assist in development, as well as other nearby countries.
•Archeological relics discovered in various sections of the country- METAL AGE
• A variety of cultural and technical exchange possibilities.
SPANISH COLONIZATION
• Spanish brought us with them their own culture and practices.
• They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and
discipline.
• Beginning of Formal Science and technology in the country
• Learning of science in School focuses on understanding different concepts.
• Philippines: Center of global trade in SEA

AMERICAN COLONOIZATION
• More influence us
• Establishment of public education system
• Establishment of modern research university like UP
• “Americanize”
• recognized the learning of science and introduce it in Private and Public School

Internal Influences

-Survival

-Culture

-Economic

Activities
Development of

Science and

Technology
Influences externally

-Colonizers from other

countries

-Exchanges with other

countries

-Countries.
-International Economic
Figure 3. Influences in the Development of

Science and Technology in the Philippines

B. GOVERNMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICIES

Science and technology (S&T) play a critical role in the country's long-term development.
The strategies are outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines oversees developing
the country's scientific and technical capabilities. The department's mission is to "give central
direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technical endeavors, ensuring that the
results are directed and exploited in areas of maximum economic and social value to the
people" (Executive Order 128 1987).
Sectoral planning councils, collegial and scientific bodies, S&T services, and research and
development (R&D) institutes are all part of the DOST. The department works hard to
achieve the 11-point agenda outlined below (DOST 2017):
• pursue R&D to solve significant national issues
• undertake research and development to increase productivity and resource
management
• participate in research and development to produce and use new knowledge and
technologies across industries
• improve and expand regional R&D skills
• Maximize the use of R&D results by transferring and commercializing technologies
• create a strong STI culture and develop STI human resources
• STI facilities and capabilities will be upgraded to improve R&D operations and
extend S&T services.
• Increase STI support to communities and the manufacturing sector, notably Micro,
Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) (MSME)
• offer STI-based catastrophe risk mitigation and climate change adaptation and
mitigation solutions
• Improve collaboration between business, academia, and government, as well as
international STI.
• Improve the efficiency of STI governance

The Department of Science and Technology collaborated with the National Research Council
of the Philippines (NRCP) to develop strategies and policies that would assist the nation in
meeting the ASEAN 2015 goals. The policies that resulted were grouped into four categories:
- Social sciences, humanities, education, international policies, and governance
- Physics, engineering and industrial research, earth and space sciences and mathematics
- Medical, chemical, and pharmaceutical sciences
- Biological sciences, agriculture, and forestry
Aside from these, the DOST has ongoing projects such as: (1) funding for research, patents,
and projects related to science and technology; (2) scholarship grants for undergraduate and
graduate studies of S&T students; (3) additional campuses of the Philippine Science High
School where young Filipino students are trained in S&T; (4) S&T parks to encourage
academic and industrial partnerships; and (5) the Balik Scientist Program to encourage
Filipino scientists to return home and work in the Philippines.
The Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE), the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), and the Philippine Congress have all founded and developed
programs that are financed by the government.
Several variables influence the policies, initiatives, and programs produced, implemented,
and supported by the relevant government agencies: (1) national goals, international treaties,
legal frameworks, and the country's social needs, concerns, and difficulties (Serafica and
others).

National Goals

SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
International Treaty
• Policies

• Programs
Legal Frameworks
• Projects

Figure 4. Development of Science

Social needs, issues, and and Technology Policies in the Philippines

Problems
C. FAMOUS FILIPINO IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE
 These Filipino scientists are:

1. Ramon Cabanos Barba- for his outstanding research on tissue

culture in Philippine’s mangoes

2. Josefino cacas Comiso- for his works on on observing the

characteristics of Antarctica by using satellite images

3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr.- known intentionally in the field of electrical

engineering; was elected as officer of the famous Institute of electrical and Electronic
Engineering

4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz- notable for her research on sea venom

5. Fabian Millar Dayrit- for his research on herbal medicine

6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III- for his research on tilapia culture

7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea jr. – for inventing the meconium drugs

testing

8. lilian Formalejo Patena- for doing research on plant

biotechnology

9. Mari-jo Panganiban Ruiz- for being an outstanding educator and

graph theorist
10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan- for his research in the field of
communications technology
There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad for their
outstanding contributions in science:

• Caesar A. Saloma: an internationally renowned physicist

• Edgardo Gomez: famous scientist in marine science

• William Padolina: Chemistry and president of national

academy of Science and Technology (NAST)- Philippines
• Angel Alcala: marine science

Individual interest in SCIENCE

Social Science
science LABORATORIES

(TEACHERS AND
(REAL-LIFE
Family LEARNING
CONTEXT)
ENVIRONMENT)

Natural Environment

FIGURE 5. Factors that Influence the Development of Filipino Scientists

Self- Check 2.2.2 a FILIPINO SCIENTISTS

Consider the following questions and write your answers on a separate piece of paper.
1. Determine several concerns in the Philippines. To address these concerns, what science
and technology-related policies may be devised and implemented?
2. What are your thoughts on the country's implementation of various science and
technology initiatives and projects?
3. From the year 2000, what laws govern science and technology in the Philippines?
4. What are the procedures for enforcing these laws?
Self-Check 2.2.2 b
1. Determine the names of numerous Filipino scientists.
2. Is there any research on their contributions to science?
3. Examine why they want to be a scientist.
4.In class, present the results of your effort.
REFERRENCES:
SCINCE AND TECHNOLOGY by Janice Patria Javier Serefica et al. 2016.
Alesina, Alberto and Reich, Bryony. (2015). Nation-building. Retrieved from:
http://bit.ly/nationbuilding_alesina_reich
Lee-Chua, Queena N. (2000). 10 outstanding filipino scientists. Quezon City: Anvil Publishing.
Lee-Chua, Queena N. and Sebastian, Leocadio S. (2006). In love with science. Pasic City:
Anvil Publishing.