LESSON III.

NGEC 7- STS:
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Philippine Science and Technology has a long history. It started before Spain colonized the country
where some indigenous technology already existed with regards to wet rice and dry agriculture. The use of
technology was also evident in the handicrafts, pottery, weaving, metal ware and boats used by ancient
Filipinos. The natives were already aware of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of plants and methods
of extracting medicine from herbs. They had an alphabet, a system of writing, a method of counting, weights
and measure. They had no calendar but counted the years by the period of moon and from one harvest to
another. Filipinos were already engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining, and weaving. The Banaue Rice
Terraces is a sophisticated product of engineering during the pre-Hispanic period.

DEVELOPMENT OF S & T IN THE COUNTRY

I. Pre-Hispanic Period
II. Spanish Colonial Period
III. American Period and Post Commonwealth Era
IV. Marcos Era and Martial Law
V. Fifth Republic (Pres. Corazon Aquino)
VI. President Fidel V. Ramos’ Term
VII. President Joseph Estrada’s Term
VIII. President Gloria M. Arroyo’s Term
IX. President Benigno C. Aquino Term
X. President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Term

N.B. Though the country was colonized by Japan, Japanese occupation lasted for 3-4 years only thus very few accounts for its
contribution and influence to the Philippine S & T. Hence Japanese occupation was not mentioned.

I. PRE-HISPANIC PERIOD

 Few of the Philippine Aborigines: Negritos/Aetas, Indonesians & Malays, others were Igorot,
Bagobo, Manobo, Subanen & Moros among others.
 The early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture and traditions. Their own belief
system and indigenous knowledge keeps them organized and sustained their lives and communities
for many years.
 Indigenous Knowledge Systems (Folk Science) refers to the understandings, skills and
philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural
surroundings. For rural and indigenous peoples, local knowledge informs decision-making about
fundamental aspects of day-to-day life.
o Planting crops that provide them food
o Taking care of animals
o Food production
o Interpret the movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates
o Medicinal uses of plants
 Baybayin is the early Filipinos system of writing (alphabet) during the pre-Hispanic era.
 They had no calendar but counted the years by the period of the moon and from one harvest to
another. (Observational Science)
 Banaue Rice Terraces is an epitome of harmony between humankind and nature. A sophisticated
product of Engineering by early Filipinos.
 Early evidences of application of scientific knowledge
o Lantaka (rentaka in Malay)- a type of bronze canon serves as weapons for war.
o Irrigation systems, building of houses, development of tools and musical instruments.
o Gold and silver jewelries worn by Datu and elite members of the society.
o Handicrafts, pottery, weaving, metal ware and building of boats.

II. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

 The colonization contributed to the growth of science and technology in the archipelago. The
Spaniards introduced formal education and founded scientific institutions.
 The Spaniards brought their own culture and practices and taught these to Filipinos.

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  Learning of science in school focuses on understanding different concepts related to the human
body, plants, animals and bodies.
 Technology focuses on using and developing house tools which was replicated by Filipinos using
indigenous materials.
 Parish Schools (Sectarian) were established where religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and music
was taught.
 The school of medicine and pharmacy was opened at the University of Santo Tomas which were
established by the Spaniards.
 The Jesuits promoted meteorological studies and founded the Manila Observatory at the Ateneo
Municipal de Manila (present day ADMU) in 1865.
 It also contributed to the field of engineering in the islands by constructing government buildings,
churches, roads, bridges and forts.
 When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, our ancestors were already trading with China, Japan,
Siam, India, Cambodia, Borneo and the Moluccas. The Spanish government continued trade
relations with these countries, and the Manila became the center of commerce in the East.
 The Spaniards closed the ports of Manila to all countries except Mexico. Thus, the Manila–
Acapulco Trade, better known as the "Galleon Trade" was born.

III. AMERICAN PERIOD AND POST COMMONWEALTH ERA

 Science during the American Period was inclined towards agriculture, food processing, forestry,
medicine and pharmacy.
 Academic institutions established during this time were University of the Philippines and
Philippine Normal College (present day PNU).
 The Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories (DOH) which was
built in 1901 for medical research and vaccine production. The Bureau replaced Laboratorio
Municipal which was established during Spanish era.
 During this era, “Filipinization” was allowed. Filipinization was a compromise that allowed
colonial authorities some government action.
 Pensionados term referring to young and intelligent Filipinos send to US to study under scholarship
grant.
 On October 26, 1905, the Bureau of Government Laboratories was replaced by the Bureau of
Science which dealt with the study of tropical diseases. This was later replaced by Institute of
Science in 1946.
 With the progress of S & T, on December 8, 1933 the National Research Council of the Philippines
was recognized.
 The Philippine Congress passed the Science Act of 1958 which established the National Science
Development Board.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: MAJOR PLAYER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE PHILIPPINES

Development of Science and

Technology in the Philippines

Internal Influences External Influences

 Survival  Foreign Colonization

 Culture  Trades with foreign
 Economic Activities countries
 International
Figure 1. Influences in the Economic demands
Development of Science and
Technology in the Philippines

IV. PH S & T DURING MARCOS ERA AND MARTIAL LAW ERA

During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, the importance given to science grew. In the amended 1973
Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 9 (1), he declared that the "advancement of science and

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technology shall have priority in the national development”. In his two terms of presidency and during
Martial Law, he enacted many laws promoting science and technology.
In his Second State of the Nation Address 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. The Department of Education, with the National Science Development Board
(NSDB), is organizing a project to provide selected high schools with science teaching equipment over a
four-year period.
In his Third State of the Nation Address on 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.
In his Fourth State of the Nation Address on 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."
On April 6, 1968, he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of the Philippine Science
Community. The government also conducted seminars for public and private high school and college
science teachers, training programs and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and
workshops on fisheries and oceanography.
In his Fifth State of the Nation Address on January 26, 1970, he emphasized that the upgrading of science
curricula and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. He added the Philippine
Coconut Research Institute to the NSDB to modernize the coconut industry. The NSDB also established
the Philippine Textile Research Institute.
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.
In his Seventh State of the Nation Address on January 24, 1972, he spoke about his major development
projects in reforming sectors of education. Such projects included research and development schools,
technical institutes, science education centers, and agricultural colleges and vocational high schools.
In 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. (Presidential Decree No. 4, s. 1972). He
established the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research to support the progressive development of
agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the nation. It was attached to the Department of Agriculture and
Natural Resources for administrative purposes. He provided further support for the promotion of scientific
research and invention with Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972. This decree contains details on the
protection of intellectual property for the creator or publisher of the work.
He established the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) under the Department of National Defense to provide environmental protection and to utilize
scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of the people. (Presidential Decree No. 78, s. 1972).
In 1973, he created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote industrial and economic development
through effective and efficient use of energy sources. (Presidential Decree No. 334, s. 1973).
In 1976, he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the National Academy
of Science and Technology, which is 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 1978, he created a Task Force on the formulation of a national action program on science and technology
to assess policies and programs of science and technology. (Executive Order No. 512, s. 1978). In his
Fourteenth State of the Nation Address on July 23, 1979, he said that the government invested funds and
time in organizations for scientific research, such as the 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. While these projects have had breakthroughs, the
market machinery did not adapt and invest in this technology due to the high-risk front-end costs.

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In 1979, he constituted the Health Sciences Center created by R.A. No. 5163 as an autonomous member
within the University of the Philippines System to improve the internal organization and unity of leadership
within its units. (Executive Order No. 519, s. 1979).
In 1980, he created the National Committee on Geological Sciences to advise government and private
entities on matters concerning development in geological sciences. (Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980).
In 1982, he reorganized the National Science Development Board and its agencies into a National Science
and Technology Authority to provide central direction and coordination of scientific and technological
research and development. (Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982). He granted salary increases to the people
with teaching positions in the Philippine Science High School due to their necessity in the advancement of
national science. (Executive Order No. 810, s. 1982). 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).
In 1986, he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School to
encourage careers in science and technology and to be more accessible to the talented students in the
Mindanao and Visayas areas. (Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986).
V. FIFTH REPUBLIC
In 1986, during Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and Technology Authority was
replaced by the Department of Science and Technology, giving science and technology 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. During Corazon
Aquino's State of the Nation Address in 1990, she said that science and technology development shall be
one of the top three priorities of the government towards an economic recovery.
On August 8, 1988, Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which
came up with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for the
Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country status by the year 2000.The Congress did not put much
priority in handling bills related to science and technology. The Senate Committee on Science and
Technology was one of the committees that handles the least amount of bills for deliberation.
Former DOST Secretary Ceferin Follosco reported that the budget allocation for science and technology
was increased to 1.054 billion pesos in 1989 from the previous year's 464 million pesos. However, due to
the Asian financial crisis, budget allocation for the years 1990 and 1991 were trimmed down to 920 and
854 million pesos respectively. Budget allocation were increased to 1.7 billion pesos in 1992.
During her term, President Corazon Aquino encouraged scientists and inventors to bring the Philippines to
its former position as second to only Japan in the field of science and technology. One of the goals of her
administration was to achieve the status as being an industrialized country by 2000. She urged that the
private research sector form a stronger bond between public research to help jump-start the progress in the
area of Philippine Research and Development.
Ironically, it was during President Corazon Aquino’s term and the reorganization of Philippine bureaucracy
that Executive Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the “Philippine Inventors Incentive
Act.” This Philippine Inventors Commission was under the Science Development board. It gave assistance
to Filipino inventors through giving financial aid, patent application assistance, legal assistance, and to help
inventors market their products domestically and abroad. Despite the abolishment of the Philippine
Inventors Commission, her administration gave rise to new avenues for the government to aid the progress
of Science and Technology in the country.
R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to free education up to the
secondary level, implemented in the education system together with this was the “Science for the Masses
Program” which aimed at scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos.
The Aquino administration recognized the importance of science and technology in the development of the
Philippines into a newly industrialized country. Funding for the science and technology sector was tripled
from 464 million in 1986 to 1.7 billion in 1992. The Science and Technology Master Plan was formulated
which aimed at the modernization of the production sector, upgrading research activities, and development
of infrastructure for science and technological purposes. A Research and Development Plan was also

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formulated to examine and determine which areas of research needed attention and must be given priority.
The criteria for identifying the program to be pursued were, development of local materials, probability of
success, potential of product in the export market, and the its strategic nature. The grants for the research
and development programs was included in the Omnibus Investment Law.
VI. FIDEL V. RAMO’S TERM
There were noticeable improvements regarding science and technology as stated in President Fidel Ramos'
State of the Nation Address. In his third SONA, there was a significant increase in personnel specializing
in the science and technology field. At 1998, the Philippines was estimated to have around 3,000 competent
scientists and engineers.
Adding to the increase of scientists would be the result of the two newly built Philippine Science High
Schools in Visayas and Mindanao which promotes further development of young kids through advance
S&T curriculum.
The 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
improvement and teachers were getting training programs to benefit themselves and their students. Health
care services were promoted through local programs such as "Doctors to the Barrio Program." The health
care programs were innovative and effective as shown by the change in life expectancy from 67.5 years in
1992 to 69.1 years in 1995.
Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic
Act No. 8439) was established. The award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for people
who have been influential in the field of S&T. In the sixth SONA, education was one of the primary story-
lines wherein programs such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology
and enactment of a law creating a nationwide system of high schools specializing in the field of science and
engineering.
Fidel V. Ramos believes that science and technology was one of the means wherein the Philippines could
attain the status of new industrialized country (NIC). During his term, he was able to establish programs
that were significant to the field of S&T.
In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND) was established. Among its
priorities were:
(1) exporting winners identified by the DTI;
(2) domestic needs identified by the President's Council for Countryside Development;
(3) support industries and
(4) coconut industry development.
Congress, during his term, was able to enact laws that were significant for the field. Among were:
(1) Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439);
(2) Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7687) and
(3) Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459).
(4) The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) was enacted during
Ramos' term. The law provides industrial property rights, copyrights and related rights, and
technology transfer arrangements.
VII. PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA'S TERM
In President Joseph Estrada's term, two major legislations that he signed were
(1) 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;
(2) 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.

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Aside from these, in his first State of the Nation Address, President Estrada 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. Lastly, he
said that they would speed up the program to establish one science high school in every province.
It was in his second State of the Nation Address that President Estrada announced the passage of the Clean
Air Act, and the decision to pursue the 15-year modernization program of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. His last State of the Nation Address pushed for the advancement of industries and schools into
the Internet age, as well as the announcement of the passage of the e-Commerce Act.
VIII. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO ADMINISTRATION
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 then secretary Estrella Albastro. Numerous laws
and projects that concerns 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 "Filipinnovation" was the coined
term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia.
The 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.
This helps schools produce 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 focus 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.
IX. PRESIDENT BENIGNO C. AQUINO TERM
In an effort to improve the efficiency of both land and water, the government imposes Republic Act 10601
which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Mechanization (AFMech). RA 10601 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 (Section 4).
In 2010, President 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 research and technology of
Philippine agriculture are currently in the works. Most of the Researchers are inclined in solving the
problem of increasing hunger in the country by creating 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 the Philippine agricultural growth is provided by the CountrySTAT
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 it
included two crucial issues, inclusive growth and disaster risk reduction.
In 2014, President Aquino conferred four new National Scientist for their contribution in the Scientific
field, Academicians Gavino C. Trono, Angel C. Alcala, Ramon C. Barba, and Edgardo D. Gomez was
honored in their respective fields. Trono's contribution helped a lot of families in the coastal populations
through the extensive studies he made on seaweed species.

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On the other hand, Alcala served as the pioneer scientist and advocate of coral reefs aside from his
contribution in the fields of systematics, secology and herpetology. Barba's contribution changes the
seasonal supply of fresh fruits to an all year round availability of mangoes through his studies on the
induction of flowering of mango and micropropagation of important crop species. Lastly, Gomez steered
the national-scale assessment of damage coral reefs which led a national conservation.
On May 23, 2016, Republic Act No. 198844, 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.
X. PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. DUTERTE’S TERM

The Duterte administration reassured its commitment to Science, Technology and Innovation sector. This
was established in the increase in the budget of the DOST. In a speech of Pres. Duterte delivered by Budget
Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno during the opening of the National Science and Technology week 2017, he
stated that the budget of DOST has quadrupled in the last seven years “from Php. 50 billion in 2010 to Php
208 Billion in 2017. The budget for research and development grew by nearly 6x over the same period of
time from Php 1 Billion in 2009 to Php 5.8 Billion in 2017. This was disclosed in his speech during the
celebration of the National Science and Technology Week at the World Trade Center in Pasay on July 11,
2017.
In the 10-point economic agenda, the promotion of Science, Technology and creative arts was included to
enhance innovation and creative capacity towards self-sustaining inclusive development. S & T must create
an avenue for development in various sectors, such as in the economy.
DOST Secretary Dr. Fortunato De La Peña identified the focus of the department as technology transfer
and commercialization thus ten percent of its overall budget was allocated for technology transfer. This
resulted to generation of 1000 new intellectual properties that can be adopted in just one year.
Major accomplishments of the Duterte’s administration are:

 Entry into the frontiers of space through its support to the Philippine Space Technology Program.
DIWATA-1 satellites which was launched in 2016 was made by Filipino Scientists who were
trained in Japan. The DIWATA-2 which will be launched in 2018 has improved the capabilities to
better monitor the country. This was made by another batch of Filipino Scientists. This space
technology can also be utilized in other sectors, such as in agriculture and disaster preparedness.
 A memorandum of Agreement between Russia and the Philippines regarding the space program.
 Republic Act 11035 “An Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program” was signed into law
by the President on June 15, 2018. This law would give more incentives to returning Filipino
experts, scientists, inventors, and engineers who would share their expertise in the country.
 On telecommunication, Department of Information and Communication Technology, National
Telecommunication Commission and telecommunication companies have agreed to standardize
voice call charges to Php 2.50.
 On weather, 271 new weather stations were installed by the Department of Science and Technology
throughout the country. The Zamboanga Doppler Weather Radar System was also installed.
References:

 Science, Technology and Society, Nelia G. Prieto, PhD. et al., Lorimar Publishing Inc. © 2019. Pages 3-8, & 22.
 https://aseanup.com/philippines-infographics-population-wealth-econ
 https://www.thebalance.com/gdp-per-capita-formula-u-s-compared-to-highest-and-lowest-3305848
 https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/293789575689110140/
 https://medium.com/the-looking-glass/the-role-of-science-and-technology-in-the-philippine-economy-8bd6562ed71c
 https://filipiknow.net/life-in-pre-colonial-philippines/
 https://tinycards.duolingo.com
 https://en.unesco.org
 https://www.philippine-history.org/galleon-trade.htm

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