History of

S&T in the
Philippines
Lecture 2
 Pre-Spanish
Period
Archeological findings showed
that modern man from Asia
Mainland first came over land
to live in Batangas and
Palawan.
They settle, made stone tools and weapons of stone
flakes, and develop new skills
Sawing
Polishing stones
3000 BC: production of adzes
ornament of seashells and pottery
for 2000 years
Until Chinese Porcelain arrived
They learned to use metal tools
lasted until the 3rd century B.C.
to 11th century AD
Early Filipinos engaged into:

WEAVING Mining
Farming

Ship Building
  Butuan trade with
Champa (Vietnam)
 Mindoro (Ma-I) trade
with China
Spanish Colonial
Period Establishment of
Formal education
Founded scientific
institution
 Parish schools for:
• Religion
• Reading
• Writing
• Arithmetic
• music

Natives were
taught a more
advance methods
in agriculture
Oldest University in Asia
Medicine was prioritized during Spanish
Colonization
Spaniards made contribution in the field of
engineering by constructing:
Government establishment
Churches
Roads
Bridges
Ports
 t h e
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 American Period and Post
Commonwealth
• July 1, 1901: Bureau Era by Philippine
of Government Laboratories
Commission
• Purpose to study the tropical diseases and laboratory
• 1905: Bureau of Science
• Primary research center of the country
• December 8, 1933
• National Research Council of 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 is given on he development of
industrial technology due to free trade policy.
• 1946: Bureau of Science to Institute of
Science
• 1950: US Economic Survey: lack of basic
information, no support, minimal budget,
and low compensation
• 1958: Carlos P. Garcia passed the bill:
“The Science Act of 1958”
• Establish the National Science
Development Board
 Marcos Era
• It was only during the Marcos Presidency
where science was given importance
• 1973 Constitution: in terms of National Development,
priority shall be given in the advancement of Science and
Technology
• In his SONA, he declared that there is a need for science in
public high school and with the help of Department of
Education in partnership[ from the NSDB, it aims to
provide science teaching equipment for four (4) years
• 1968: Technology is the Top reason in the Economic Development
• 1969: he allotted large amount of war damage fund to private universities to
encourage them to create courses that focuses on science and technology, and
research.
• 1970: upgrading the science curriculum and teaching equipment is crucial to the
science development programs
• 1972: PD No. 49 s. 1972: Decree on Protection of Intellectual Property Act
• Support for promoting the scientific research and invention
• Aside from this, the greatest distribution is the establishment of PAGASA
which function is to give environmental protection and utilize scientific
knowledge to ensure safety of the nation
• 1976: Establishment of National Academy for Science and Technology thru PD
1003
• In 1986, EO 1090: PSHS in Visayas and Mindanao
 Fifth Republic
• Corazon Aquino replaced Marcos in 1986
• 1986: National Science and Technology Authority to Department of
Science and Technology
• Philippine Development Plan (1987-1992):
Role of S&T has been highlighted in the nature economy
• 1990: SONA: She said that the S&T development should be on the top
three priorities of the government
• 1989, budget allocation for S&T was increased amounting to 1.054
billion pesos.
• Between 1990 & 1991: it was cut down to 145 due to financial crisis
• 1992: It was increased again by 50%
• In July 1992, FVR reported on his 1st SONA that there were
improvements with regards to S&T
• In 1994, he reported that there was a significant increase in
people who specialized in the field of S&T
• In 1998, estimated of about 3000 competent scientists and
engineers
• It was in the 5th Republic where the government provided 3500
scholarships
• RA No. 8439 in 1997: “Magna Carta for Science and
Technology Personnel
• Its purpose is to give incentives or rewards to people who
made impact in the field of S&T
• In President Joseph Estrada’s term, two main
legislations that he signed were Philippine Clean Air
Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) which was
designed to protect and maintain the environment and
make sure the sustainable improvement of its natural
resources,
• Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No.
8792) which outlaws computer hacking and offers
opportunities for new businesses rising from the
Internet-driven New Economy.
• In the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the science
and technology sector of the Philippines used to be dubbed as
the “golden age” of science and technology by then secretary
Estrella Albastro.
• Numerous laws and initiatives that issues both the environment
and science to push technology as a tool to extend the country’s
economic level. This is to help increase the productivity from
Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) and help gain the
poor people. Moreover, the term “Filipinnovation” was the
coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation
hub in Asia.
• One of the more known laws to
be exceeded by her
administration was the R.A.
9367 or the “Biofuels” act. This
act promotes the improvement
and utilization of biofuels
throughout the country. This
probably allows a more cost
effective choice to gasoline as a
medium in producing energy.
• In an effort to enhance the effectivity of both land and water, the
government imposes Republic Act 10601 which improves the
Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Mechanization (AFMech).
RA 10601 covers research, development, and extension (RDE),
promotion, distribution, supply, assembling, manufacturing, regulation,
use, operation, protection and project implementation of agricultural
and fisheries machinery and equipment (Section 4).
• In 2014, President Aquino conferred four new National Scientist for
their contribution in the Scientific field, Academicians :
• Gavino C. Trono
• Angel C. Alcala
• Ramon C. Barba
• Edgardo D. Gomez