STS NOTES education by establishing colleges and

CHAP 3: Science and Technology and Nation Building universities

❖ HISTORY OF S&T IN THE PHILIPPINES o University of Santo Tomas (UST)
Precolonial Period • one of the world’s oldest Catholic
o Inhabitants of the islands were known to Universities
possess scientific and technological knowledge • founded by Miguel de Benavides in 1611
o People were engaged in farming, fishing, • was founded to establish a formal space to
mining, weaving, and pottery teach theology, philosophy, and the
o Natives made tools out of stones humanities
• For sawing, drilling, and polishing • Medicine and pharmacy were later offered
• Later used copper, gold, bronze, and iron • Dr. Leon Ma. Guerrero was one of the first
o Were noted for their expertise in shipbuilding pharmacy graduates of the UST School of
and seafaring Pharmacy
• Allowed them to trade with neighboring ▪ Known as the “Father of Philippine
regions such as Borneo, Malacca, part of the Botany and Pharmacy”
Malay Peninsula, and China o The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 made
o Terraced rice paddies made in highlands were travel and trade easier
used to grow rice and vegetables o Wealthy Filipino families sent their sons to
o Banaue Rice Terraces study in Europe and were then called IIustrados
• it is among the engineering marvels made American Colonial Period
during the precolonial era o On July 1, 1901, the Philippine Commission of
Spanish Colonial Period the American colonial administration
o Start of the modernization of science and established the Bureau of Government
technology in the Philippines Laboratories
o Research in agriculture and rising of industries • Replaced the Laboratorio Municipal founded
was encouraged by the Real Sociedad by the Spanish colonial government
Economica de los Amigos del Pais de Filipinas • Was renamed the Bureau of Science on
• Royal Economic Society of Friends of the October 26, 1905
Philippines • Dealt with the study of tropical diseases and
• Founded by Gov. Gen. Jose Basco y Vargas handled studies on economic value of
• Funded the publication of scientific tropical products, the nutritional value of
literature, trips of Filipino scientists from foods, and the testing of Philippine minerals
Spain to the Philippines, and foreign and local and road building materials
scholarships for Filipinos • Also published the Philippine Journal of
o Sanitation and more advanced agricultural Science in 1906 that reported work done in
practices were taught to natives local laboratories and scientific
o The Spanish constructed roads, bridges, and developments abroad
buildings through polo y servicio o Other government institutions were also
• A system of forced labor required of every established such as:
male native aged 16-60 years old • Bureau of Health (1898)
o Manila Observatory • Bureau of Mines (1900)
• Founded by the Jesuits in 1865 at the Ateneo • Bureau of Forestry (1900)
de Manila University • Weather Bureau (1901)
• To promote meteorological studies in the • Bureau of Public Works (1901)
country • Bureau of Agriculture (1901)
• Issued the first public typhoon warning in • Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey (1905)
1879 • Bureau of Plant Industry (1929)
• Also sponsored seismological and • Bureau of Animal Industry (1929)
astronomical studies o University of the Philippines
• Was made the central station of the • Founded on June 18, 1908
Philippine Weather Bureau
o One of the biggest contributions of the Spanish
colonial rules was the introduction of formal
 • A national educational institution with o Several existing agencies were also assigned to
organized faculties in the areas of sciences, the NSDB for coordination of policies:
arts, medicine, philosophy, and literature • National Research Council of the Philippines
• The first colleges to be organized under UP (NRCP)
were: • Philippine Science High School (PSHS)
▪ College of Agriculture • Metals Industry Research and Development
▪ School of Forestry Center (MIRDC)
▪ School of Pharmacy • Science Foundation of the Philippines (SFP)
▪ Graduate School of Tropical Medicine and • Philippine Council for Agriculture and
Public Health Resources Research (PCARR)
o National Research Council of the Philippines ❖ PRESENT STATE OF S&T
(NRCP) o The Philippines is among the bottom ten countries
• Founded on December 8, 1933 that are not technologically ready
• Established to actively involve the promotion o The Philippines is still lagging on technological aspects
of scientific researches in the country which is also directly affected by the country’s GDP
Post war to Present o Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
o The onset of World War II significantly • By virtue of Executive Order 128
diminished educational and scientific progress • Was mandated to continue providing central
in the Philippines direction, leadership, and coordination in
o Established organization for science and formulating and implementing policies, plans,
technology resumed their task post war programs, and projects for S&T development
o The creation of more public and private o DOST was responsible for establishing the following
institutions resulted in the increase of science institutes:
and engineering students • Technology Application and Promotion Institute
o The Philippine Bureau of Science transformed ▪ Involved in commercializing technologies and
into the Institute of Science in 1947 marketing the technology services of other
o The Institute of Nutrition and the Science operating agencies
Foundation of the Philippines (SFP) were also • Science Education Institute
established under the Office of the President ▪ Undertakes and formulates plans for the
o The Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL) development of education and training in S&T
was created in 1952 and placed under NRCP • Science and Technology Information Institute
o The Philippine Congress enacted the Science ▪ Manages the development and maintenance of
Act of 1958 in order to address the lack of an S&T databank and information networks
funding, planning, and coordination of • Industrial Technology Development Institute
government-sponsored scientific research ▪ Formerly the National Institute of Science and
o National Science Development Board (NSDB) Technology
• Under the Science act of 1958 ▪ Undertakes applied R&D, transfers R&D results
• Established to formulate policies for the to end users, and provide technical, advisory,
development of science and technology and consultancy services in the fields of
programs, and coordinate with different industrial manufacturing, mineral processing,
agencies and energy
o The Act also founded the Philippine Atomic • Advanced Science and Technology Institute
Energy Commission (PAEC) and the National ▪ Involved in the R&D of advanced S&T such as
Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and
placing NRCP under NSDB space technology
o Additional science agencies were created that o DOST Councils
broadened NSDB’s role and network in 1960’s: • Philippine Council for Agriculture, aquatic, and
• Philippine Inventors Commission (1964) Natural Resources Research and Development
• Philippine Coconut Research Institute (1964) • Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine
• Philippine Textile Research Institute (1967) Research and Development
• Forest Products Research and Industries • Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and
Development Institute (1969) Emerging Technology Research and Development
• Philippine Council for Health Research and ▪ Aims to protect the environment for the
Development health of the people and their natural
• Philippine Council for Advanced Science and environment
Technology Research and Development • Enacted the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000
• National Research Council of the Philippines ▪ Pushes modernization and protection from
S&T in the Philippines Under Contemporary hacking upon entering the age of the
Administrations internet
o Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Administration o Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Administration
• The Philippine Coconut Research Institute • Technology entrepreneurship was developed
and Philippine Textile Research Institute under the Medium-term Philippine
were created to improve industries Development Plan 2004-2010
• Established the Philippine Atomic Energy • The government adopted policies that
Commission in 1970 to aid research on other focused on building technological
sustainable sources of energy dependency
• Established the Philippine Atmospheric ▪ Such as RA no. 9367 that promotes the use
Geophysical and Astronomical Services of biofuels
Administration in 1972 • The National Science and Technology Plan
• Reorganized NSDB and its agencies into the 2002-2020 was formulated
National Science and Technology Authority ▪ Focuses on building technologic self-
▪ To provide central direction and reliance
coordination of scientific and technological • The Philippine Technology Transfer Act of
research and development 2009 was enacted to utilize R&D researches
o Pres. Corazon Aquino Administration of institutions so that outputs related to S&T
• Emphasized the importance of S&T in will disseminated to the wider public
economic progress o Pres. Benigno Aquino III Administration
• Renamed the NSTA into the Department of • Presented the Harmonized Agenda for
Science and Technology Science and Technology in 2014
▪ Gave science and technology ▪ Zeroes in on disaster risk reduction and
representation in the cabinet inclusive growth
• Ordered the assembly of a presidential task • Enacted the Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship
force to deal with matter concerning the Act of 2013
progress of S&T in the country in 1989 ▪ Deals with providing financial assistance
▪ Tasked to prepare a development plan in through scholarships to gifted students
support of the national development o Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Administration
objective of achieving a newly • Professionals in the field of S&T were
industrialized country status concerned whether the new administration’s
• Also formulated the Science and Technology science agenda would prioritize R&D
Master Plan 1991-2000 ❖ PERSONALITIES IN S&T IN THE PHILIPPINES
▪ Stating the development of S&T should be Chemistry
given priority to aid in the country’s o Dr. Alfredo C. Santos
economic recovery after martial law • A renowned Filipino chemist
o Pres. Fidel Ramos Administration • One of his primary discoveries was the
• Provided scholarships for S&T programs isolation of many plant-based alkaloids
• Enacted the Inventor’s Incentive Act and the • Pioneered phytochemistry, the study of
S&T Scholarship Act plant-derived chemicals
• Enacted RA no. 8439 of 1997 or “Magna Carta • National Scientist in 1973
for Scientist, Engineers, Researcher, and o Dr. Julian A. Banzon
Other S&T Personnel in the Government” • A biochemist most noted for his work on
▪ To sustain the country’s R&D endeavors, as renewable sources of chemicals and fuels
well as aid Filipino scientist and researchers from indigenous products
o Pres. Joseph Estrada Administration • First to document the derivation of ethyl
• Enacted the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 esters from coconut and sugarcane as
alternative fuel sources
 • Developed a chemical process for extracting o Dr. Abelardo Aguilar
coconut oil • A biologist who discovered erythromycin
• National Scientist in 1986 ▪ Currently used as an antibiotic for
o Dr. Luz Oliveros-Belardo patients allergic to penicillin
• A pharmaceutical chemist who specializes in • His discovery was patented, and mass
the field of phytochemistry manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company
• Her research focused on discovering under the brand name Ilosone
essential oils found in native plants Engineering
• National Scientist in 1987 o Dr. Eduardo San Juan
o Dr. Solita Camara-Besa • Was a mechanical engineer from NASA
• Known as the first Filipina biochemist • Conceptualized the design of the Moon
• Focused her research on understanding the Buggy or Lunar Rover used by Neil
Filipino diet and nutrition patterns Armstrong and other astronauts
• Focused on the potassium and sodium o Dr. Diosdado Banatao
contents of various Filipino foods to • Is regarded as a Silicon Valley visionary for
formulate healthy dietary standards his involvement in the development of the
o Dr. Armando Kapauan key semiconductor technologies
• Initialed investigations to analyze the • Best known for improving the speed at
presence of heavy metals in the which computers work by introducing the
environment single-chip graphical user interface
• One of the first to investigate the dangers of accelerator
exposure to mercury • Also helped develop the Ethernet controller
• Designed the equipment that can analyze chip
mercury content in fish, water, soil, and • Conceptualized and pioneered the use of
other areas where it may cause harm personal computers through local bus in
Biology 1989
o Dr. Angel C. Alcala o Dr. Arturo Pineda Alcaraz
• An authority in the field of ecology and • A prominent volcanologist
biogeography • Pioneered the development of geothermal
• Known for discovering 50 species of reptiles energy
and amphibians • Noted as the country’s “Father of
• Noted for having 30 years of experience in Geothermal Energy Development”
tropical marine resource conservation • Head of the Commission of Volcanology,
• Credited for the creation of the country’s now the Philippine Institute of Volcanology
first artificial reef and Seismology from 1951 to 1974
• Received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for • Helped in the construction of the first
Public Service and the 1999 Pew Fellowship geothermal powerplant in Tongonan, Leyte
in Marine Conservation on July 3, 1977
o Dr. Asuncion K. Raymundo Science Education in the Philippines
• A biologist who focuses on microbial o Studies show that science education
genetics and biotechnology contributes to alleviating poverty and
• one of the country’s leaders in microbial overcoming the financial crisis of a nation
genetics o The Philippine Science High School
• Awarded the Outstanding Microbiologist • An attached agency to the DOST which gives
Award by the Philippine Society for opportunities to students who would like to
Microbiology and Republica Award by CHED pursue careers in line with science and
o Dr. Baldomero M. Olivera technology
• Best known for his discovery of a snail toxin • Its main branch is in Diliman, Quezon City
that can be used as a painkiller for patients and established in 1964
who have become tolerant to morphine • Graduates are required by law to take
• Was selected as the 2007 Scientist of the courses in college directly in line with
year by Harvard Foundation mathematics, science, or engineering
 • Admitting students must pass a ▪ Focuses on four key tactical and
comprehensive qualifying exam exclusive to transformative strategies
Filipinos • CHED provides three types of Student
• Is known to have participated in both Financial Assistance Programs for students
national and local competitions from lower income households to expand
o The K to 12 Program and Present State of access to quality education
Science Education ▪ Includes scholarship, grant-in-aid, and
• The education system of the country follows student loans
the K to 12 program • The Accelerated Science and Technology
▪ covers 12 years of basic education after Human Resource Development Program
which students can choose to pursue supports graduate studies in DOST and
tertiary education or technical-vocational accredited universities
education • DOST also launched the Balik Scientist
▪ was made into law upon signing of RA no. program that encourages Filipino scientists
10533, also known as the “Enhanced working abroad to return to the Philippines
Basic Education Act of 2013” by former • DOST’s Scientific Career System recognizes
Pres. Benigno Aquino III and compensates scientists with
▪ Aims to provide better quality of accomplished works
education and prepare graduates to be • A National Science Consortium was
competent for global employment established in 2009
opportunities ▪ To enhance the capability of HEIs to
▪ Uses a spiral progression that allows produce technically competent PhD and
students to learn topics and skills MS graduates by providing graduate
appropriate to their cognitive stages scholarships
• Department of Education regulates basic ❖ FILIPINO INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS
education standards and curricula, whereas Common Examples of Philippine products
the Commission on Higher Education produced using indigenous technologies:
supervises and regulates higher education o Fermented Food
institutions • Kesong puti
• Science education in the country faces many • Patis
challenges like the shortage of qualified • Banana Catsup
science teachers and insufficient funding of • Burong isda
public schools o Alcoholic Beverages
• Teacher-centered strategies as well as • Lambanog
outdated methods hinder students from • Basi
being interested in science • Tapuey
• Learner-centered strategies help in • Bignay/Bugnay
developing the students’ critical and • Tuba
analytical skills o Textiles
o Government Intervention • Fibers from abaca, jusi, and saluyot
• DepEd established the Basic Education • Natural dyes from indigenous plants
Sector Reform Agenda o Construction Materials and Civil Engineering
▪ A policy reform package that seeks to • Bamboo
improve the institutional, structural, and
• Coconut lumber
financial conditions that affect the
• Santol wood
delivery of and access to basic education
• Rice hull cement
• DepEd also provides financial assistance to
• VAZBUILT modular housing system
students through the Government
• Rice terraces of the Cordilleras
Assistance to Students and Teachers in
o Transport Vehicles
Private Education
• Jeepney
• In higher education, CHED developed the
Higher Education Reform Agenda in 2012 • Vinta
• Balangay
 • The Delta Mini Cruiser
o Medicine
• Medicinal plants
• Erythromycin
o Weapons
• Balisong
• Marine scout sniper rifle
• Personal defense weapon
• Sumpit
o Space Technology
• Diwata-1