Javier, Sharon Faith G.

08/08/19
Abaya, Therese Bernadine S. SCITES1

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE

PHILIPPINES

PRE-SPANISH PERIOD

Even before the colonization by the Spaniards

in the Philippine islands, the natives of the
archipelago already had practices linked to
science and technology. Filipinos were already
conscious of the medicinal and therapeutic
houses of vegetation and the techniques of
extracting medication from herbs. They already
had an alphabet, quantity system, a weighing and measuring system and a calendar. Filipinos
were already engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining and weaving. The Banaue Rice Terraces
are among the sophisticated merchandise of engineering by using pre-Spanish era Filipinos.

SPANISH PERIOD

The colonization of the Philippines contributed to growth of science and technology in the
archipelago.

The Spanish brought formal schooling and founded scientific institution. During the early years
of Spanish rule in the Philippines. Parish schools were installed the place religion, reading,
writing, arithmetic and music was taught. Sanitation and more superior techniques of agriculture
was once taught to the natives. Later the Spanish installed faculties and universities in the
archipelago together with the oldest existing university in Asia, the University of Santo Tomas.

The study of medicinal drug in the Philippines was given precedence in the Spanish era,
particularly in the later years. The Spanish additionally contributed to the discipline of
engineering in the islands by setting up government buildings, churches, roads, bridges and forts.
Biology is given focus. Contributors to science in the archipelago for the duration of the
nineteenth century had been botanists, Fr. Ignacio Mercado., Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera and
Dr. Leon Ma Guerrero, chemist Anaclento del Rosario, and remedy pupils Dr. Manuel Guerrero,
Dr, Jose Montes and Dr. Elrodario Mercado.
The Galleon Trade have accounted in the Philippine colonial economy. Trade was given extra
focal point by the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the prospects of massive profits.
Agriculture and industrial improvement on the other hand have been particularly neglected. The
opening of the Suez Canal saw the inflow of European site visitors to the Spanish colony and
some Filipinos had been able to learn about in Europe who were likely influenced by the speedy
development of scientific beliefs introduced by the Age of Enlightenment.

AMERICAN PERIOD

The development of science and science in the Philippines persevered beneath American rule of
the islands. On July 1, 1901 The Philippine Commission mounted the Bureau of Government
Laboratories which was once placed underneath the Department of Interior. The Bureau replaced
the Laboratorio Municipal, which used to be set up underneath the Spanish colonial era. The
Bureau dealt with the find out about of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. On October 26,
1905, the Bureau of Government Laboratories used to be replaced through the Bureau of Science
and on December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was once
established. The Bureau of Science became the most important research core of the Philippines
until World War II.

Science during the American duration was inclined closer to agriculture, food processing,
forestry, medication and pharmacy. Not lots focal point was given on the improvement of
industrial technological know-how due to free exchange coverage with the United States which
nurtured an financial system geared toward agriculture and trade.

In 1946 the Bureau of Science was changed by means of the Institute of Science. In a record by
way of the US Economic Survey to the Philippines in 1950, there is a lack of basic information
which have been necessities to the country's industries, lack of help of experimental work and
minimal price range for scientific lookup and low salaries of scientists employed by using the
government. In 1958, for the duration of the regime of President Carlos P. Garcia, the Philippine
Congress passed the Science Act of 1958 which hooked up the National Science Development
Board.
INDEPENDENCE PERIOD

“ Advancement of Science and Technology shall have priority in the national

development." -President Ferdinand Marcos

● 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.
● January 22, 1968
○ He recognized that technology was the leading factor in economic development,
and channeled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences and science
education.
● January 27, 1969
○ He gave a big part of the war damage fund to private universities to encourage
them to create courses in science and technology and to research. He stated that
he planned a project to have medical interns do a tour of duty in provincial
hospitals to arouse their social conscious and reduce the "brain drain."
● January 26, 1970
○ The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission of the NSDB explored the uses of
atomic energy for economic development. Marcos assisted 107 institutions in
undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists to study nuclear science
and technology abroad, and providing basic training to 482 scientists, doctors,
engineers, and technicians.
● 1972
○ He created the National Grains Authority to provide for the development of the
rice and corn industry to fully harness it for the economy of the country.
● 1973
○ He created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote industrial and
economic development through effective and efficient use of energy sources.
MODERN ERA

“Science and Technology development shall be one of the top three priorities of the
government towards an economic recovery.” -President Corazon Aquino

● President Joseph Estrada's term

○ two major legislations that he signed were Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999,
which was designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the
sustainable development of its natural resources, and Electronic Commerce Act of
2000 which outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new
businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy.
● President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term
○ the "golden age" of science and technology
○ 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 had, drought-free
rice was also highly encouraged to by used during her term. This enables farmers
to produce rice despite the environmental hazards that slows or stops the
production.
● Rescue 72
○ Its inventor, Danvic Briones, drew inspiration from the sad fate of several
Typhoon Ondoy victims. Rescue 72 is equipped with compartments into which
one can put water-proof bags containing first aid kits, water, light snacks, and
other items essential for survival.
● Single-chip graphical user interface accelerator
○ Diosdado Banatao developed the first single-chip graphical user interface
accelerator that made computers work much faster. This invention has allowed
computer users to use graphics for commands and not the usual typed commands
in older computers. It has allowed data processing to be a little faster using very
little space, with small chips instead of large boards. credited with having
developed the first 10-Mbit Ethernet CMOS with silicon coupler data-link control
and transreceiver chip, the first system logic chip set for IBM's PC-XT and the
PC-AT, and the local bus concept and the first Windows Graphics accelerator
 chip for personal computers. A three-time start-up veteran, he co-founded
Mostron, Chips and Technologies, and S3 Graphics.
● Eco-G3000
○ Eco-G NanoTechnology developed the Eco-G3000, a low-cost and low-
maintenance fuel-emission reduction device. It is designed to reduce vehicular gas
consumption and toxic emission.
● Coconet
○ Justino Arboleda devised the coconet, a sturdy but biodegradable net made from
coconut husk
● Vazbuilt Modular System
○ The Vazbuilt Modular Housing System, an invention of Edgardo Vazquez, is a
concept of a prefabricated or ready-to-build housing system. an easy to build and
less time to construct Walls, floors, columns, window panels, and tied beams,
with additional implementation which can potentially solved the country housing
backlog.
● One Chip Video Camera
○ Marc Loinaz invented the One Chip Video Camera, Ho-hum materials from a
personal computer was the beginning of one-chip video camera created by the
team of Loinaz at Lucent Technologies. It is small, a size of cigarette lighter, low
power and cheap and can be integrated into everything from wristwatches to
cars.Contrary to CCDs (charge-coupled devices), which are relatively large,
consume large power and are complicated to design, this one chip is also based on
silicon chip found on microprocessors and memory devices.