Science
&Technology
(S&T) in the
Philippines
Learning
Objective:
To trace the history of S&T in the Philippines
(the economic, political and social events
shaping their developments)
The Early Years
(Spanish Period, 1869-1898)
• Opening of Suez Canal in 1869 shortened
the route from the Philippines to Europe
Filipinos were able to study in Europe and
observed or became oriented to the rapid
succession of scientific activities (e.g. Darwin’s
theory of evolution in 1859, Mendel’s law of
heredity in 1866, invention of telephone in 1875)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Suez Canal
• Arabic Qanāt al-Suways, sea-level waterway
running north-south across the Isthmus of Suez
in Egypt to connect the Mediterranean and the
Red seas. The canal separates the African
continent from Asia, and it provides the shortest
maritime route between Europe and the lands
lying around the Indian and western Pacific
oceans.
Suez Canal
The Early Years
(Spanish Period, 1869-1898)
• Filipino scientists were mostly
interested on animal and plant
systems
Fr. Ignacio Mercado, Dr. Trinidad Pardo
de Tavera, and Dr Leon Ma. Guerrero in
Botany
Anacleto del Rosario in Chemistry
Dr. Manuel Guerrero, Dr. Jose Montes,
and Dr. Elrodario Mercado in Medicine
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Spanish Period, 1869-1898)
• Galleon trade was the chief
economic activity
Spanish officials focused more on the
trade due to big profits
Agriculture and industrial development
were neglected
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Galleon Trade
• 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. The Galleon Trade
was a government monopoly. Only two galleons were used:
One sailed from Acapulco to Manila with some 500,000
pesos worth of goods, spending 120 days at sea; the other
sailed from Manila to Acapulco with some 250,000 pesos
worth of goods spending 90 days at sea.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
• The Schurman Commission recommended
the replacement of military government with a
civil government and establishment of free
public educational system in the country
• The Taft Commission started the gradual
Filipinization of the government and
encouraged education in preparation for self-
government
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
• Philippine public school system was established in 1901
765 Thomasites were recruited
▫ Insular Bureau of Agriculture and Bureau of
Government Laboratories* were established
Authored by Dean Worcester, a zoology professor
at the University of Michigan and a strong
advocate of science
Conducted biological, chemical, and other
scientific studies
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
▫ The Philippine Commission expanded and
included Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, a
Filipino
• The Bureau of Government Laboratories was
reorganized into the Bureau of Science in 1905
Enabled it to undertake research in all fields of science
Many notable American scientists were recruited
Quality research works were produced necessitating the
creation of the Philippine Journal of Science in 1906
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
▫ In 1906, the Bureau of Science was made
the custodian of the International
Standards of Weights and
Measurements in the country
• The University of the Philippines was
established in 1908, followed by the College of
Agriculture in Los Banos
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
• Jones Law (The Philippine
Autonomy Act) replaced the
Philippine Commission with the
House of Representatives,
wholly composed of Filipinos
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Jones Law
• The Jones Law created the first fully elected
Philippine Legislature.
• The law was enacted by the 64th United States
Congress on August 29, 1916, and contained the
first formal and official declaration of the United
States Federal Government’s commitment to
grant independence to the Philippines.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
Downtrend of the Bureau of Science began
(transferred to the Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)
Shift of emphasis from health and
sanitation to the study of the country’s
natural resources
Growth of science slowed down (decrease
number of articles in PJS and poor quality)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
• Bureau of Science had new functions
Regulation, analysis, and branding of commercial
fertilizer
Control, checking, advertising, labeling or
branding of any business and commercial
commodities
• The world recession in the 1930s caused further
losses to the bureau, which resulted to
retrenchment, loss of several divisions, reduced
budget, and brain drain
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)
• In 1933-1934, a general reorganization took
place
DANR became the Department of Agriculture and
Commerce
Bureau of Agriculture was split into the Bureau of
Plants and the Bureau of Animal Industry
The Division of Mineral Resources was converted
into the Bureau of Mines
The Bureau of Science lost some of its divisions
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Bureau of Science
• Main thrust during the early
years was on public health
and nutrition
Due to outbreak of cholera, small
pox, dysentery, malaria, TB, and
leprosy before 1900
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Bureau of Science
Also did research on uses of agricultural
products
• medicinal plants by Edwardo
Quisumbing
• isolation and elucidation of natural
products by Alfredo Santos
• essential oils used as food flavors and
fragrances by Luz Olivares Belardo
• coconut as renewable source of fuel by
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Julius Banzon
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The College of Agriculture
• Focused efforts on improving the breed of
basic crops, livestock and poultry
Varietal introduction, evaluation and
inheritance in rice, corn, sugar cane, coconut,
abaca, and tobacco
Improving the breed, feed ration, and the
quality of meat and eggs (Dr. Francisco Fronda,
Father of the Poultry Industry in the
Philippines, wrote 500 scientific articles during
his lifetime)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(The War Years, 1941-1945)
• Manuel L. Quezon was the president when the war
between Japan and the US broke out in 1941
Very poor economy confronted the Commonwealth and
later the Republic
Unproductive period in the research life of the Bureau
of Science (fear of death and threat of hunger prevailed)
A few national scientists directed their efforts to food
processing
• toyo and vinegar were produced
• coconut was converted into coco jam and cooking oil
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Period, 1945-
1948)
• Manuel Roxas became the first president of the
Third Republic
Laid down his policies to rebuild the economy
(industrialization, people participation in the
government, closer cooperation with the US, and the
restoration of peace and justice)
Bell Trade Relations Act provided for free trade
relations between the Philippines and the US until 1954
This gives the Americans the right to dispose of, exploit,
develop, and utilize all agricultural, timber, and mineral
lands of the country
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Period, 1945-
1948)
• Bureau of Science was converted to
the Institute of Science and
placed under the office of the
President
Coordinated and redirected all
scientific efforts toward
industrialization
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Period, 1945-
1948)
• Filipino scientists directed their efforts
toward the solution of the country’s
problems and needs (big shortage of food
and fuel, public health was poor)
Conversion of coconut oil into ethyl alcohol
fermentation of cassava
indigenous raw materials and recycled food were
used as animal feed, etc.
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Period, 1945-
1948)
• The gradual Filipinization of the government resulted in
several negative effects on the development of science in
the country
Reorganization led to loss of records (no clear
understanding of the roles and functions of different offices)
There was rampant graft, corruption and inefficiency of the
government due to unqualified officials
The budget for the Bureau of Science for its research and
other scientific activities was at the mercy of its department
secretary (operating with a low budget led to the bureau
soliciting foreign aid through scientific projects)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Quirino Administration, 1948-1953)
• President Elpidio Quirino desperately sought the help of
the US
President Truman proposed an economic survey
mission – the Bell Mission
($250M-aid from the US)
Institute of Science was renamed Institute of
Science and Technology and placed under
the National Economic Coordination
(funding became favorable)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Quirino Administration, 1948-1953)
• Philippine economy flourished
Crop production from 1946-1956 increased
by 100%
Livestock and poultry production likewise
improved
The demands for lumber and timber
greatly increased due to rehabilitation and
reconstruction programs
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Magsaysay Administration, 1953-1957)
• President Ramon Magsaysay directed all his efforts to the
upliftment of the rural people
Improved land reform system
Provided easy-term credit and facilities
Constructed roads and buildings for the masses
Provided technical advice for farmers on farm
management and intensive development
Extended the duty-free trade under the Bell
Trade Act
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Magsaysay Administration, 1953-1957)
• Highest number of scientists, as well as scientific
works occurred in 1956
Due to RA No. 1237 which granted special
privileges to scientists and inventors
Dioscoro Umali organized the Division of Plant
Breeding, the Philippine Seed Board, the
National Rice and Corn Cooperative Movement
Program
Fronda continued to improve the poultry
industry by introducing modern techniques
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Garcia Administration, 1957-1961)
• President Carlos Garcia adopted the “Filipino First Policy”
• The National Science Board was replaced with the
National Science Development Board (NSDB),
raising it to a department level with a budget of its own
Scientific and industrial researches were made
more possible (studies on indigenous materials
for industries, improvement of industrial
products, substitution of native raw materials,
etc.)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Garcia Administration, 1957-1961)
• 1959 was called the “crop year”
Increase in production despite the
prolonged drought
An offshoot of agricultural research
breakthroughs
• improved farm technology
• use of modern farm practices)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Macapagal Administration, 1961-1965)
• President Diosdado Macapagal instituted the full
decontrol program which lifted all government
controls on foreign exchange
The country’s foreign reserves were depleted
Ended the protection of Filipino enterprises
Unlimited importation and the Filipino colonial
mentality of buying “stateside” goods caused a
substantial drop in sales of Philippine-made
commodities
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Macapagal Administration, 1961-1965)
• The NSDB was mandated in 1963 to undertake
research in all fields
through its 2 commissions, National Institute of
Science and Technology (NIST) and the
Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
• The Scientific Instrumentation Division was
added to NSDB which shifted its efforts to extensive
training and expansion
• The International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) was established in 1960
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(Pre-Martial Law Years, 1965-1971)
• President Ferdinand Marcos’ national goals
emphasized economic and rural
developments
Self-sufficiency in rice and diversification of crops
Land reform program and intensification of
community development programs
Laws that adjusted the government’s buying price for
rice and corn, reorganized agricultural agencies to
reduce operational costs and attain efficiency
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(Pre-Martial Law Years, 1965-1971)
• UP College of Agriculture underwent rapid
development in its facilities, faculty and staff,
academic programs and extension
Training ground for Filipinos and other Asian
graduate students
The Ford Foundation granted funds for the
establishment of the UP Computer Center in 1967,
laboratory facilities and research equipment
The Philippine Sugar Industry granted funds to
support, revive and develop a strong sugar technology
curriculum
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(Pre-Martial Law Years, 1965-1971)
• Thrust of research were redirected towards
5 areas of priority:
1. Basic necessities
2. Import substitutes
3. Exports
4. Waste materials and product utilization
5. Science education program
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(Martial Law Years, 1972-1982)
• President Marcos created Proclamation 1081 placing
the entire Philippines under Martial Law
He made himself head of the National Economic Development
Authority (NEDA)
Reorganized many government agencies (NSDB, NIST, DANR)
Created Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (PCAR),
which later became PCARR, Philippine Root Crop Research and
Training Center, Philippine Tobacco Research and Training
Center, Institute of Plant Breeding, BIOTECH, CLSU Cotton
Research and Development Institute, National Academy of
Science and Technology and Filipino Inventors Society, Inc.
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(After Martial Law, 1981-1985)
• President Marcos issued Proclamation 2045 that
lifted Martial Law
NSDB drafted a comprehensive science and
technology plan for the country (Five-Year
Science and Technology Development Plan)
NSDB was reorganized to National Science
and Technology Authority (NSTA)
• Mandated to formulate a comprehensive
National Plan for Science and
Technology
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(After Martial Law, 1981-1985)
The following agencies were created:
• Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resource Research and
Development (PCARRD)
• National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
• Philippine Council for Health Research and Development
(PCHRD)
• Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research
Development (PCIERD)
NAST tackled 3 major issues:
• Collection of biological specimens
• State of the dairy industry
• Effects of radiation on human health
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe
Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post EDSA revolution
(1986-present)
• President Corazon Aquino - there was a serious
economic crisis
Organized the Philippine Commission on
Good Government (PCGG)
Created the Commission on Human rights
(CHR)
NSTA was reorganized to Department of
Science and Technology (DOST)
PAGASA was transferred to the DOST from
the Department of National Defense
Post EDSA revolution
(1986-present)
• Task Force on Science and Technology
Development was created in 1989
Dialogue with industry and agriculture
and identify the S&T areas needed to
move to NIC (Newly Industrializing
Country) status by the year 2000
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post EDSA revolution
(1986-present)
• President Fidel Ramos envisioned the Philippines
“to be a country where all are provided a better
life…”
DOST refocused its efforts on the 15 “leading edges”, sectors
that have substantial contribution to GNP:
• agriculture, aquaculture and marine fisheries, forest and
natural resources, metals and engineering, textile
industry, mining and minerals, process industry, food
and food industry, energy, transportation, construction
industry, information technology, electronics,
instrumentation and control, emerging technologies, and
the pharmaceutical industry
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe Books.
Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Additional Reading
• Copernican
• Darwinian
• Freudian
• Information
• Meso-American
• Asian/Middle East/African
