General Education Subject: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Chapter 2 -SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION Manunggul Jar
BUILDING
acknowledged to be one of the finest Philippine
OBJECTIVES: pre-colonial artworks ever produced and is
considered a masterpiece of Philippine ceramics
• Discuss the role of science and technology in
Philippine nation building The early Filipino people used this for secondary
• Identify the policies of the government burial, a prehistoric burial practice wherein only
regarding science and technology and appraise the bones were put in a jar within a year after
their impact on the development of the Filipino the death of a person.
nation; and
Baybayin is one of the writing systems that was
• Evaluate government policies pertaining to
used among early Filipinos before Spanish
science and technology in terms of their
colonization.
contributions to nation building
used to record business transactions, folk tales,
Science and technology have been central to the poetry, songs and other compositions, according
progress and development of virtually all the nations of to the book An Illustrated History of the
the world. It contributes immensely to various sectors Philippines.
of the economy. Science and technology are intimately The word baybay means “to spell” in Tagalog,
connected with development. It leads to healthier,
which was the language most frequently written
longer, wealthier and more productive lives and
with the baybayin script.
alleviation of poverty becomes possible.
I. PRECOLONIAL PERIOD II. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD
In Precolonial Philippines, inhabitants of the The Philippines depended on the Spanish Crown
islands were known to possess scientific and from 1521, the date of the first settlement on
technological knowledge, particularly livelihood the Island of Cebu.
During this time, people were already engaged The Spanish colonial period of the Philippines
in farming, fishing, mining, weaving and pottery. began when explorer Ferdinand Magellan came
to the islands in 1521 and claimed it as a colony
Natives make tools out of stones for sawing, for the Spanish Empire. The period lasted until
drilling and polishing the Philippine Revolution in 1898.
The Banaue Rice Terraces is among the INTRAMUROS, or the 'Walled City', is one of the
engineering marvels made during the oldest districts of Manila, built on the south
precolonial period bank of the Pasig River around 1571. It was built
The Banaue Rice Terraces are terraces that were by the Spaniards – more specifically by Miguel
carved into the mountains of Banaue, Ifugao Lopez de Legaspi – and is bound on all sides by
moats and thick, high walls, with some over 6
Carved about 2,000 years ago by the ancestors metres high.
of the present day Philippines. It is said that
they were built by hand and were used to plant Constructed roads, bridges, and buildings
rice. through the POLO Y SERVICIO, a system of
forced labor required of every male native aged
Terraces slow the flow of water – the driver of 16 to 60 years old
erosion – allowing it to trickle from platform to
platform, limiting topsoil loss. Colonization by Spaniards provided the
Philippines with (1) modern means of
It also serves as flood control, giving water a construction
chance to infiltrate rather than runoff. This
water sticks around as an underground reservoir Walls
for current and future crops.
Roads
General Education Subject: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Bridges III. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
And other large infrastructures The period of American colonialization of the
Philippines was 48 years. It began with the
(2) Advanced agricultural practices were taught cession of the Philippines to the U.S. by Spain in
by native Spaniards 1898 and lasted until the U.S. recognition of
Research in agriculture and rising industries was Philippine independence in 1946.
encouraged by the Royal Economic Society of The U.S. fought Spain during the Spanish-
Friends of the Philippines founded by Gov. Gen. American war and took possession of the
Jose Basco y Vargas Philippines, which prompted the Philippine-
The society functioned like a modern research American war that took place from 1899 to
council 1902.
Funded the (3)publication of scientific The development of science and technology in
literature, trips of Filipino scientists from Spain the Philippines during the American occupation
to the Philippines through the establishment of government
research institutions
(4) Studies and regulations on various areas
such as mines, Philippine flora, agriculture, Bureau of Science (1905)
geology, chemical analysis of mineral waters
throughout the country Bureau of Health (1898)
(5) Meteorological studies promoted by the Bureau of Mines (1900)
Jesuits who founded the Manila Observatory Bureau of Forestry (1900)
Introduction of (6) formal education by Weather Bureau (1901)
establishing colleges and universities.
Bureau of Public Works (1901)
University of Santo Tomas (UST) one of the
world’s oldest Catholic universities – founded by Bureau of Agriculture (1901)
Miguel de Benavides in 1611.
Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey
Dr. Leon Ma. Guerrero – “Father of Philippine (1901)
Botany and Pharmacy”one of the first
Bureau of Plant Industry (1929)
pharmacy graduates of UST School of Pharmacy
Bureau of Animal Industry (1929)
(7) Filipinos are beginning to cultivate their
intellectual awareness and national Establishment of national educational
consciousness institution was established
Philippine nationalist movement was led by Founding of the University of the Philippines
Ilustrados such as Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del (UP) on June 18, 1908
Pilar and Mariano Ponce
First colleges in UP were – (1) College of
Filipino Scholarship and the End of Spanish Agriculture, (2) School of Forestry, (3) School of
Colonialism. The writings of a small group of Pharmacy and (4) Graduate School of Tropical
scholars known as the ilustrados are often Medical and Public Health
credited for providing intellectual grounding for
the Philippine Revolution of 1896 Establishment of the National Research Council
of the Philippines (NRCP) – involve in the
promotion of scientific researches in the
country
Basic and applied research in the field of
medicine and agriculture
General Education Subject: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
IV. POST-WAR PHILIPPINES TO PRESENT State funded scholarship grants, trainings and
other educational ventures that aim to produce
The onset of the World War II significantly graduates in different fields of S&T
diminished educational and scientific progress
in the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
established the following institutes:
After the war established organizations for
science and technology resumed their tasks. 1. Technology Application and Promotion
Institute (TAPI)-involved in commercializing
The creation of more public and private technologies and marketing the technology
educational institutions resulted in increase of services of other operating agencies of the
science and engineering students. department
Philippine Bureau of Science → Institute of 2. Science Education Institute (SEI) –undertakes
Science
and formulates plans for the development of
Establishment of Institute of Nutrition education and training in S&T
Establishment of Science Foundation of the 3. Science and Technology Information
Philippines Institute–information arm of the department
Creation of Commission on Volcanology that manages the development and
maintenance of an S&T databank and
Establishment of National Science Development information networks.
Board
4. Industrial Technology Development Institute
The country’s socioeconomic status is (formerly National Institute of Science and
dependent on the progress of science and Technology)– undertakes applied R&D, transfers
technology (S&T).
R&D results to end users and provides technical,
There is no industrialization without the advisory and consultancy services in fields of
development of S&T. industrial manufacturing, mineral processing
and energy.
The progress of a nation is connected to its
capacity to sustain itself and produce local 5. Advanced Science and Technology Institute
industrial products for domestic use (ASTI)- involved in the R&D of advanced S&T
In 1950, the Philippines was ranked among the such as microelectronics, artificial intelligence
top five countries in terms of industry, and space technology
technology and economic development.
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and
The Philippines during that time was considered Natural Resources Research and Development
a progressive country because it was (PCAARRD)
frontrunner in various industries.
Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine
However, over the years, the Philippines was Research and Development (PCAMRD)
overtaken and left behind by some of its
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and
neighboring countries in East Asia in terms of
Emerging Technology Research and
GDP
Development (PCIEERD)
The Philippine economy has been lagged
Philippine Council for Health Research and
because it failed to upgrade its scientific
Development (PCHRD)
capabilities and technologies to be global
competitive Philippine Council for Advanced Science and
Technology Research and Development
Despite the shortcomings, the government
(PCASTRD)
pursues initiatives to foster growth of S&T in the
country. National Research Council of the Philippines
(NRCP)
General Education Subject: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Dr. Arturo Pineda Alcaraz – was a prominent
volcanologist in the Philippines who pioneered
VI. PERSONALITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN the development of geothermal energy “Father
THE PHILIPPINES of Geothermal Energy Development”
CHEMISTRY VIII. SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
Dr. Alfredo C. Santos – researched on medicinal Education is necessary for individuals to be
properties of chemicals found in indigenous equipped with knowledge and skills that can
plants contribute to the development and betterment
Dr. Julian A. Banzon – biochemist most noted of society.
for his work renewable sources of chemicals and Studies show that science education contributes
fuels from indigenous products to alleviating poverty and overcoming the
Dr. Luz Oliveros-Belardo – pharmaceutical financial crisis of a nation because it opens
chemist who specializes in phytochemistry. avenues for careers and creates options for self-
Developed chemical process for extracting sustainability.
coconut oil recognized by the DENR The Philippine Science High School System
Dr. Solita Camara-Besa – first Filipina An attached agency to the DOST
biochemist. Focused on understanding the
Filipino diet and nutrition patterns. Gives opportunities to students who
would like to pursue careers in line with
Dr. Amando Kapuan –one of the first to look into the science and technology
dangers of exposure to mercury
R.A 8496 – signed by Pres. Fidel V.
BIOLOGY Ramos establish the Philippine High
Dr. Angel C. Alcala – known for the discovery of School System
50 species of reptiles and amphibians on top of There are 16 Philippine Science High
400 known species Schools situated in different parts of the
Dr. Asuncion K. Raymundo – focuses on country
microbial genetics and biotechnology The K to 12 Program and Present State of
Dr. Baldomero M. Olivera – best known for his Science Education
discovery of snail toxin that can be used as a
Current educational system of the
painkiller for patients who have become country that covers the 12 years of basic
tolerant with morphine education consisting of at least one year
Dr. Abelardo Aguilar – biologist who discovered of pre-school education or kindergarten,
erythromycin that is currently used as an six years of elementary school, and six
antibiotic for patients allergic to penicillin years of secondary school.
ENGINEERING – plays a big role in S&T because it Department of Education (DepEd)
applies new designs, systems processes and solutions regulates basic education standard and
curricula
Dr. Eduardo San Juan – mechanical engineer
from NASA who conceptualized the design of Commission on High Education (CHEd)
the Moon Buggy or Lunar Rover used by Neil supervises and regulates higher
Armstrong and other astronauts during the education institutions (HEIs)
Apollo landing to explore the moon in 1969 R.A 10533 or the Enhanced Basic
Dr. Diosdado Banatao – regarded as a Silicon Education Act signed by President
Valley visionary for his involvement in the Benigno Aquino III in 2013
development of key semiconductor
technologies
General Education Subject: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
IX. FILIPINO INVENTIONS 5. Transport vehicles
Common examples of the Philippines products Jeepney – modified American military jeep
produced using indigenous technologies
Vinta – boat made by Badjao and Tausug tribes
1. Fermented food
Balangay – also known as Butuan boat
kesong puti – white cheese made from
Delta Mini Cruiser – built by Delta Motor
goat’s milk
company in the 1970s for commercial and
Patis – fish sauce military use
Banana catsup 6. Medicine
Burong isda (fermented fish) Medicinal plants
2. Alcoholic beverages Ampalaya
Lambanog – coconut arrack Lagundi
Basi – sugarcane wine sambong
Tapuey - rice wine Erythromycin – antibiotic discovered by Dr.
Abelardo Aguilar
Bignay / bugnay – wildberry wine
7. Weapons
Tuba – coconut toddy
Balisong – also known as butterfly knife
3. Textile
Marine scout sniper rifle – developed by the
Fibers from Philippine Marine Corps Scout Snipers
abaca Personal defense weapon – developed by the
jusi – pineapple leaves Government Arsenal of the Philippines
Saluyot Sumpit – local blowgun
Natural dyes (from indigenous plants) 8. Space technology
Guava Diwata-1 also known as PHL-Microsat-1
Yellow ginger The first satellite of the venture made possible
through the Philippine Scientific Earth
Talisay Observation Microsatellite (PHL-Microsat)
Program, a three-year program funded by the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
4. Construction materials and civil engineering
Bamboo
Book Reference:
Coconut lumber
Casas, John Miller et.al (2020). Science, Technology and
Santol wood Society. C&E Publishing, Inc.
Rice hull cement
VAZBUILT modular housing system (ready to
build housing system)
Rice terraces of the Cordilleras
