SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY AND
NATION BUILDING
By Group 2
INTRODUCTION
Research is a production of a new
knowledge. A country that does not give
priority to it is a country that does not
want absolute independence from the
dominion of other countries. If a country
cannot produce its own knowledge, then
its only way to survive is to follow the
knowledge created in other countries;
there is no independence but a total
subservience to the ideas made by other
people.
 INTENDED LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
At the end of the chapter, students are expected to do the
following:

• Review the growth and development of science and

technology in the Philippines in the historical
perspective;
• Analyze the impact of science and technology to nation
building; and
• Identify items in science and technology that
underscore the Filipino identity.
Before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, Filipinos
possessed a distinct and advanced civilization
characterized by self-governance, unique educational
systems, and notable scientific and technological
innovations. This pre-colonial society thrived on the
ingenuity and resourcefulness of its people, who
transformed available materials into functional tools
and adapted to their environment with remarkable skill.
One key aspect of this self-sufficient society was
its approach to medicine. The Philippines was
rich in medicinal herbs, which were effectively
used to treat illnesses and maintain the health
of the community. This reliance on natural
remedies demonstrated a deep understanding of
the local flora and its healing properties,
negating the need for external intervention or
sophisticated laboratories.
Another significant area of advancement was in
weaponry. The Moro people, known for their fierce
independence and martial prowess, developed
their own style of swords and other weapons to
defend their territories. Metalworking was a
crucial skill, with foundries in Luzon producing
brass cannons known as lantaka. These cannons
served as a testament to the Filipinos' ability to
harness available resources and create effective
tools for both defence and trade.
Perhaps the most iconic symbol of pre-colonial Filipino
ingenuity is the Banaue Rice Terraces. Carved into the
mountains of Ifugao, these terraces represent a
remarkable feat of engineering and agricultural
innovation. The terraces not only provided a sustainable
source of food for the local population but also
demonstrated a deep understanding of water
management, soil conservation, and the delicate balance
between human activity and the natural environment. The
construction and maintenance of the terraces required a
high degree of communal cooperation and solidarity,
further highlighting the strong social bonds that
In summary, the text paints a picture of a vibrant and
self-sufficient pre-colonial Filipino society that possessed
its own unique form of governance, education, and
technology. This civilisation was characterised by a deep
understanding of the natural world, a strong sense of
community, and a remarkable ability to innovate and
adapt to its environment. The use of herbal medicine,
the production of lantaka cannons, and the construction
of the Banaue Rice Terraces all serve as powerful
reminders of the ingenuity and resilience of the Filipino
people before the arrival of foreign influences.
The evolution of science and technology in the Philippines is
marked by distinct periods of influence and development. The
Spanish colonial era saw the formal introduction of science and
technology into the Philippine educational system in the mid-
19th century. This was achieved by integrating science and
technology into the curriculum of educational institutions such
as the University of Santo Tomas. This led to the introduction of
scientifically and technologically based programs alongside
courses in the humanities. Subjects such as medicine, biology,
and surveying became available to Filipinos, and natives were
taught modern farming techniques and construction skills for
buildings, bridges, forts, and roads.
During the American colonial period, science and
technology were further emphasized as important
agencies. The American government established the
Bureau of Government Laboratories to study tropical
diseases and the National Research Council to improve
food production, medicine, and other aspects of Filipino
life. After colonization, Filipinos placed greater emphasis
on science and technology. Despite Ferdinand Marcos's
failed attempt to establish a nuclear power plant in
Morong, Bataan, he made further improvements in
science and technology.
Although the Philippines had not yet fully recovered
from World War II when Marcos came to power, he
prioritized science and technology as a means to
restore the country's economy. He allocated a
significant portion of funds from Japanese war
reparations to schools to finance research.
During Marcos's era, numerous offices, agencies, and institutions
were established, including Philippine Coconut Research
Institute (PHILCORIN), Philippine Textile Research Institute
(PTRI), Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC),
Philippine Nuclear Institute (PNI), National Grains Authority
(NGA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Council of
Agricultural Research (PCAR), Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and
Development (PCAARRD), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),
Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Plant Breeding
Institute (PBI), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI),
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Forest Products
Multiple campuses for Philippine Science High
School were also constructed and extended to
Visayas and Mindanao.
Subsequent presidents continued to make
breakthroughs in science and technology. Corazon
Aquino designated a representative of the DOST to
the cabinet to emphasize its importance to the
country's socio-economic recovery, and the
Department submitted the Technology Master Plan
President Fidel Ramos signed into law bills that concern
science and technology. In his term of office, these acts
were approved: Republic Act No. 8439 or Magna Carta
for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers, and other
Science and Technology Personnel in Government;
Republic Act No. 7687 or Science and Technology
Scholarship Act of 1994; Republic Act No. 7459 or
Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act; and Republic
Act No. 8792 or Electronic Commerce Act of 2000.
Additionally, Ramos initiated a program for high school
students interested in majoring in science and
During President Gloria Arroyo's term, the
"Filipinnovation" initiative aimed to establish the
Philippines as an innovation hub in Asia. Arroyo
approved Republic Act No. 9367, or the Biofuels
Act, to utilize indigenous products as energy. She
also signed into law Republic Act No. 10601, or
the Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization
(AFMech) Act.
President Benigno Aquino recognized the
importance of science and technology by
naming a new set of national scientists. Under
his administration, the Philippines launched a
Space Technology Program, which resulted in the
launch of two Philippine satellites, Diwata 1 and
Diwata 2, in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Science and technology have improved human
lifestyles, hastened human affairs, and helped
solve problems in health, defense, education,
and economy. However, it also raises concerns
about whether science and technology can
sustain the next generations and prevent the
depletion of energy. If science and technology
cannot assure the world that it can prevent the
emptying of energy, then it is a science and
THANK
YOU