STS

STSModule
MODULE2-A
4

I. Topic: History of Science and Technology and Development in the Philippines

Images from www.choosephilippines.com, www.quzlet.com

II. Objectives
After reading and doing the tasks in this module, you should be able to
A. Trace the development of science and technology in the Philippines
B. Analyze the influence of governance to science and technology
C. Name the indicators of the condition of science and technology
D. Identify the pillars of development in a country
E. Propose ways how to improve development through science and technology

III. Introduction
The industrial revolution made Britain an economic power. All the nations that followed
Britain’s foot print to industrialization are still enjoying good economy even today. Basically, we
can say that the advancement in science and technology made nations industrialized and
progressive. When Spain colonized the country in the 16th century they brought with them
advanced western science and technology. When the Americans came they too had the modern
science and technology of the 19th century. So what went wrong with the Philippines? This
module gives light on the present economic condition of the Philippines by tracing the
development of science and technology from the Spanish period to the present.

IV. Discussion
Science and Technology during the colonization
The pre-Spanish Filipinos were scattered in independent settlements called barangay.
They live by farming, hunting and fishing. Their tools were spears, bows, knives and bolos. They
had a writing system and a method of counting. Their traditional knowledge laden with
supernatural beliefs was just enough to sustain their way of life. When the Spaniards came, they
put primary schools, a few higher education institutions, and hospitals. They built different
infrastructures. In short, the Filipinos got a taste of western technology at that time. Western
science and technology in the country however did not really progress during the almost three
centuries of Spanish rule. This is so because the Filipinos were deprived of education. The type
of education itself was also a culprit because it centered on religion. Agriculture and industry did
not develop as well because the Spaniards preferred exporting raw agricultural products rather
than going into production of goods.
The development of science and technology got a boost during the American regime.
This was the result of the introduction of a bigger and better public school system in the country.
Higher education became accessible with the establishments of state universities like the
University of the Philippines (UP). A wide range of science- based programs were offered in UP
like agriculture, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, public health and forestry. Scholarships were
also given to deserving graduate students and faculty members. Different science agencies
were also established like the Bureau of Science, the Bureau of Health and the Philippine
General Hospital. the Weather Bureau, Bureau of Mines, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of
Agriculture, Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, Bureau of Plant Industry, and the National
Research Council of the Philippine Island. Despite the aggressive education in science and
technology, the Americans continued the practice of exporting agricultural crops and importing
manufactured goods. With not much industrial activities in the country, the technology lagged
behind. Even the graduates of science and technology left the country because there were no
job opportunities for them.

Science and Technology in the Post-American Era

The American policies and programs on education and science and technology basically
remained after the country got its independence from the United States. The different
administrations from 1945 to present simply created, organized, and reorganized different
science agencies. There was no consistent science and technology direction. Every
administration seemed to have its own science and technology agenda. What continued from
one administration to another was the economic policy of importing manufactured goods. After
almost eighty years of being independent, what is now the state of affairs of science and
technology in the country? In assessing the status of science and technology the following
indicators are used: research and development (R&D) expenditures, patent outputs, R&D
manpower per population, research development and spending per gross national product,
research publications, and education spending. In a 2015 study conducted by Center for
Research and Development Strategy-Japan Science and Technology Agency (CRDS-JST), the
Philippines ranked 5th in the ASEAN in R&D budget and number of researches, , and 6th in the
number of scientific research outputs.

Science & Technology and National Development

The industrial revolution has taught us that science and technology (S&T) is a driver of
national development. Countries like Britain, USA, Japan, and Russia followed the conventional
way towards industrialization. First, they improved their agriculture. They went into mass
production using modern technology and marketed their finished products. Then they went into
mass production of their modern technology and marketed them as well. This brought
unprecedented economic growth. Once economy has improved already, they proceeded to
providing welfare to the people. Good economy enabled these countries to improve education
significantly. Good education and the proper exposure to industries produced experts. So at
present, these nations are not just selling machines and other industrial hard wares, they are
also selling their services as experts and consultants. Today these nations are still considered
well developed. They rank high in the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index (HDI).
In the 2017 UN HDI, the Philippines is at 116th out of 189 countries. This index is a
combination of life expectancy, education, and gross national income per capita. With a lagging
S&T in the country this rank is not a surprise. Another indicator of development is the ranking in
World Economic Forum's Competitive Index (WEFCI). Among the 140 countries being ranked in
2019, the Philippines is at the 64th spot in the overall index. This was a sharp drop from rank
46th in 2015-2016. The World Economic Forum's Competitive Index (2019) is topped by
Singapore. The Philippines is almost at the bottom among the ASEAN nations falling behind
Singapore (1st). Malaysia (27th) Thailand (40th), Indonesia (50th) and Brunei (56th).

Perspective for Development Through Science and Technology

Science and technology remains a significant driver of development in a country. At
present however social policies have factored in already as shown in Figure 1 below. Unlike in
the early 19th century where industrialization was the backbone of development, today’s path to
development is a combination of social aspects and S&T. As shown in the figures, the pillars of
development are enabling environment, market, human capital, and innovation system. Some
aspects of science and technology are embedded in the said pillars.

Figure 1. S&T in the WEFCI Based Development Framework

Enabling Market
Environment
Product Market
Institutions
Labor Market
Infrastructure
Financial System
ICT

Economic Market Size

Stability

Science &
Technology DEVELOP
MENT
Human Innovation
Capital Ecosytem

Health Business Dynamism

Skills Innovation Capability

V. Summary

Science and technology did not develop under the Spanish regime because of their
colonial economic policy and poor education system. The Americans introduced bigger and
better public education system which even catered for science programs in higher education.
They also increased the number of science agencies in the government. Still, science and
technology did not improve very well because they also practiced a colonial economic policy.
During the republic, from 1945 to present the colonial economic policy of importing
manufactured products persisted. There was no continuity in S&T priorities from one
administration to another. At present the country lags behind in S & T, and in development as
well. The World Economic Forum says that the path to development in today’s world rests on
four pillars: enabling environment, human capital, market, and innovation ecosystem. This
perspective is a combination of S & T, and sound social policies.