SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY
MODULE 3: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY: PHILIPPINE
HISTORY
1st Semester
A.Y. 2021-2022
Course Code: SCITECH
Outline:
Pre-Spanish Period
Spanish Colonial Period
American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era
Marcos Era
Fifth Republic
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
1. Explain the historical timeline of science and technology in the Philippines;
2. Analyze the development of science and technology in the Philippines; and
3. Synthesize and create their own understanding on the different periods of the history of
science and technology in the Philippines.
Content
There are many things we do not want about the world. Let us not just mourn them.
Let us change them
Ferdinand Marcos
The Philippines today is known to be a Third world country. The development of
science and technology will determine the socio-economic growth of the country It is also a
fact that the national progress will relate the capacity of a country produce local industrial
goods for domestic needs.
It will greatly affect our economic growth through increasing the chances of foreign
investors coming to our country and investing the products developed and invented by our
local inventors. It could also indicate an increase in tourism by the foreign people to try the
products that our country has developed.
The continuous development in the. field of science and technology could make a
different history for the country. Supporting ng the programs that our government has built
a better chance for the country to regain our status and glory to the global competition.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Pre-Spanish Period
archeological findings to trace the
beginning of how the Filipinos lived with
the use of science and technology.
These archeological findings showed
that modern man from Asian mainland
first came over land on across narrow
channels to live in Batangas and
Palawan about 48, 00 B.C. They settled
in different areas across the country and
The Philippines has few written
made simple tools and weapons of
information with regards to its society,
stone flakes and later developed new
culture, and technology before the
skills like sawing and polishing stones.
Spanish arrived. We relied on
During 3,000 B.C., they learned to produce adzes ornament of seashells and pottery
that prosper for 2,000 years until competition arrived with the Chinese porcelains.
Eventually they've learned how to use metal as their tools and so-called Iron Age lasted until
the 3rd century B.C. to the 11th century A.D. during this time, Filipinos were involved in ore
mining such as copper, gold, bronze, and iron.
Early Filipinos have also engaged themselves into weaving, shipbuilding, mining, and
farming that led them in creating one of the finest products of engineering which is the
Banaue Rice Terraces. Early Spanish chroniclers also noted that early
Filipinos built a refined plank-built warship called caracoa that well suited for inter-
island trade.
Locales from Butuan were trading with Champa (Vietnam) and those from Ma-I
(Mindoro) with China as seen on the Chinese records that contain several references to the
Philippines. These records indicate that trading relationship have existed and established
between the Philippines, China, and Vietnam.
Before the Spaniards came, Filipinos were already aware of activities and practices
related to science and technology. They have learned the curative values of plants and able
to extract the medicine out of it. They had an alphabet, counting methods, weights, and
measurement system, and calendar that they based on the period of the moon.
Spanish Colonial Period
country. They have introduced formal
education and founded scientific
institution. Parish schools were
established where they taught religion,
reading, writing, arithmetic, and music.
Natives were taught a more advance
methods in agriculture. Later on, they
have established colleges and
universities around the country
When the Spaniards colonized the including the oldest university in Asia,
Philippines, it has contributed to the which is the University of Sto. Tomas.
growth of science and technology in the
Medicine was prioritized during the Spanish colonization, especially in the later years.
The Spaniards made contributions in the field of engineering by constructing government
establishments, churches, roads, bridges, and forts. Biology was highlighted during this
period. Botanists, chemists, and medical scholars all gave contribution to the field of
science.
The galleon trade made a big impact in the economic growth of the Philippines.
Spaniards gave priority to the galleon trade due to its potential to make huge profits. That is
why agriculture and industrial development were not given focus and were neglected
during this time. When Suez Canal was built, visiting each other countries for Europeans and
Filipinos was made possible and probably influenced by the rapid development of scientific
ideals brought by the Age of Enlightenment.
American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era
progress of science and technology has
continued under their rule. The
establishment of Bureau of Government
Laboratories was made in July 1, 1901
by the Philippine commission, which
serves a purpose to study the tropical
diseases and laboratory projects in the
country, and was later on replaced by
the Bureau of Science in 1905 that
became the primary research center of
the country. While on December 8,
The Americans replaced Spaniards
1933, the National Research Council of
after they ruled the country and the
the Philippines was established.
It was during the American period when science was inclined towards agriculture, food
processing, forestry, medicine, and pharmacy, and not much focus were given on the
development of industrial technology due to free trade policy with the United States that
nurtured an economy geared towards agriculture and trade.
The Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science in 1946. In 1950, there
were reports made by the US Economic Survey about the Philippines' problem with regards
to science and technology such as lack of basic information, no Support,minimal budget,
and low compensation. During the regimen of Carlos P. Garcia in 1958, the Philippine
Congress passed the bill entitled "The Science Act of 1958)) which goal is to establish the
National Science Development Board.
MARCOS ERA
It as only during the Marcos
presidency where science was given
importance. It was clearly stated by the
said former President in the Philippine
Constitution, amended in 1973, that in
terms of national development, priority
shall be given in the advancement of
science and technology.
In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos declared that there is a need for science
in public high school and with the help of Department of Education in partnership from the
National Science Development Board it aims to provide science-teaching equipment for a
period of 4 years.
In 1968, he also recognized that technology was the top reason in economic
development, and gave extra funds to support projects in applied science and science
education. While in 1969, he allotted large amount of war damage funds to private
universities to encourage them to create courses that focus on science and technology and
research. In 1970, he emphasized that by upgrading the science curriculum and teaching
equipment is crucial to the science development program.
Furthermore, he declared Presidential Decree No. 49, series of 1972 as a support
for promoting the scientific research and invention. Aside from that, one of his greatest
contributions is the establishment of PAGASA which function is to give environmental
protection and to utilize scientific to ensure the safety of the nation. He also established the
National Academy of Science and Technology in 1976 to have a scientist whose experts in
science and technology.
In 1986, he also established campuses of Philippine science High school in the
Visayas and Mindanao. It encourages the youth in these areas to choose a career in fence
and technology. It also aims to tap the potential students on the said regions.
Fifth Republic
Department of Science and Technology,
giving the science and technology a seat
in the government cabinet. It was during
the Philippine Development Plan for the
years 1987-1992 where the role of
science and technology in the nature
economy was highlighted. In 1990, State
of the Nation Address of President
Corazon Aquino said that science and
After the term of President Marcos, technology development should be on
Corazon Aquino replaced him in the the top three priorities of the
presidential seat and on her term in government to implement the
1986, she replaced the National Science development pian they have made.
and Technology Authority to
In 1989, the budget allocation for science and technology was increased amounting into
1.054 billion pesos. But due to Asian financial crisis between the years 1990 and 1991, it
was cut down by 14% and in 1992, it was increased again by50%. She also encouraged
Filipino scientists and inventors to put back the Philippines and second in Japan when it
comes to the field of science and technology. It was one of her goals to make the country
industrialized by the year 2000.
In July 1992 President Fidel Ramos reported his first State of the Nation Address that
there were improvements with regards to science and technology. In his third SONA in
1994, he reported that there was a significant increase in people who specialize in the field
of science and technology. By the year 1998, it was an estimated that the Philippines had
3,000 competent scientists and engineers.
It was during the 5th Republic where the government provided 3,500 scholarships for
students who are Interested in taking up courses related to science and technology. Schools
became modernized and updated by having additional high-tech equipment. It was also
during this time when science and technology personnel were given priority by the
government by approving the Republic Act No. 8439 in 1997 which entitled "Magna Carta
for science and technology Personnel". Its purpose is to give incentives and rewards to
people who made an impact and influential in the field of Science and Technology.
1n 1998, during President Joseph Estrada's term, the Internet age was pushed for the
advancement of schools and industry. Then it was under the term of Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo when science and technology reached its golden age.
Numerous laws and projects related to science were made to push technology forward
to increase the economic level of the country like R.A 9367 or the "biofuels" act that
promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the country. In 2014,
President Benigno Aquino honors four scientists who gave huge contributions in the
scientific field that geared towards the advancement of science and technology of the
country.
LEARNING TASK
MODULE 3 QUIZ
It will be posted in the SAMS PORTAL
