STS Module 3

Pre-colonial Times

• Scientific and Technological development in the

Philippines began in the pre-colonial period. Even before

the Spaniards came to the Philippine islands, early

Filipino settlers were already using certain plants and

herbs as medicines.

• Systems of farming and animal-raising were also

implemented. Moreover, early Filipinos had also

developed different modes of transportation, whether

terrestrial or maritime.

Balangay

• Early Filipinos have also

developed different modes of

transportation, whether

terrestrial or maritime. The

most famous among it, is the

balangay, a wooden watercraft,

the oldest of which was

discovered in Butuan in

Mindanao.

The development of the

balangay did not only

showcase the advanced

engineering skills of the

early Filipinos but also

their cutting-edge

navigation knowledge as

these boats did not only

traverse rivers but oceans

as well.

Rice Terraces

• A complicated engineering

feat was achieved by the

natives of the Cordilleras

when they built rice terraces

by hand. Through there

terraces, the people were

able to cultivate crops on the

mountainsides in cold

temperatures.

Banaue rice terraces

• They incorporated an

irrigation system that uses

water from the forests and

mountain tops to achieve an

elaborate farming system.

• Cordillera Rice Terraces

have been recognized as a

UNESCO World Heritage

Site since 1995.

Colonial Period

The colonial period in the

Philippines refers to the time when

the Philippines was under the

control and influence of foreign

colonial powers.

It is a significant era in Philippine

history that greatly shaped the

country's culture, society, economy,

and political landscape.

Spanish Empire

1565 - 1898

American Empire

1898 - 1946

Japanese empire

1942 - 1945

Spanish Colonial

Colonization by the Spaniards provided

the Philippines with modern means of

construction. Walls, roads, bridges, and

other large infrastructures were built

using some of the engineering skills and

tools brought by the Spaniards.

In addition, the Spanish government

developed health and educational systems

that were enjoyed by the principalia

class.

333 years of Spanish reign

The Philippines was colonized by Spain in 1565. During

this time, the Philippines underwent significant changes,

including the introduction of Christianity, the

establishment of Spanish administrative structures, and the

integration of Philippine society into the global trade

network through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.

Manila Observatory

• It was founded on October 24,

1865, by the Jesuit scientists

and missionaries who were

present in the Philippines

under Spanish rule.

• The observatory's primary

purpose was to study and

record meteorological and

seismic data, as well as

astronomical observations, for

scientific and practical

purposes.

Father Federico Faura

• Issuing one of the earliest

documented typhoon warnings

in the Philippines.

• In 1882, Father Faura and the

Manila Observatory successfully

predicted the arrival of a

typhoon, allowing residents and

authorities to take precautions

and make necessary

preparations.

Agricultural Crops

Products such as rice, sugarcane,

indigo, and tobacco were cultivated and exported to meet the

demand of the international market.

Spice and Tropical Products

The Philippines was known

for exporting spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and black

pepper, as well as tropical fruits like bananas and pineapples.

Natural resources

Timber, abaca (a type of banana used

for fiber), and other natural resources were also exported to

support various industries.

Manila Hemp

The Philippines became a major exporter of

Manila hemp (abaca), which was used for making ropes and

cordage.

Rice

major

agricultural product and a

staple food crop. It was

cultivated by local

communities and played a

fundamental role in ensuring

food security for the

population.

Sugar cane

The

cultivation of sugarcane led

to the establishment and

expansion of the sugar

industry in the Philippines.

Large plantations, known as

haciendas, were established

to cultivate sugarcane on a

commercial scale.

Indigo

is a plant that is historically significant

in agriculture due to its use in producing a deep

blue dye.

Tobacco

The Spanish

colonial government established

a tobacco monopoly, known as

the "Tabacalera," which granted

exclusive rights to the production

and trade of tobacco.

This monopoly allowed the

Spanish authorities to control and

profit from tobacco production.

Tobacco revolt

of 1887 in the

Ilocos region is an example of

resistance against the tobacco

monopoly.

Clove ( syzygium aromaticum)

Is a spice that was introduced to the

Philippines during the Spanish

colonial period.

Clove was used for its aromatic and

medicinal properties. It was used in

traditional remedies and cuisine in

the Philippines.

Cinnamon

was one of the spices

introduced to the Philippines

by the Spanish colonizers.

It was highly prized in

European markets for its

distinctive flavor and aroma.

Abaca ( musa Textilis)

a

native plant to the Philippines,

and its fiber was highly valued

for its strength and durability.

The Spanish colonizers

recognized the potential of

abacá fiber for various

applications, including rope-

making.

Manila Hemp

Abacá fiber, known for its

exceptional strength and

resistance to saltwater, was

used to make high-quality

ropes, cordage, and twines.

These products were crucial

for maritime activities, such

as ship rigging, sail-making,

and securing cargo.

American Colonial

The American occupation

modernized almost all aspects of

life in the Philippines.

They established a government

agency, the Bureau of Science,

for the sole purpose of nurturing

development in the field of

science and Technology.

University of Philippines

founded on June 18, 1908, during the

early years of American colonial rule.

It was established through Act No.

1870 of the Philippine Commission,

also known as the "University Act.”

This marked a significant step in the

reorganization of higher education in

the Philippines.

Bureau of Health

Responsible for implementing

various public health

initiatives aimed at addressing

disease, improving sanitation,

and promoting general well-

being among the population.

These initiatives were

influenced by modern

Western approaches to public

health.

Japanese Colonial

During the Japanese colonial

period in the Philippines (1942-

1945), which occurred during

World War II, there were

limited contributions in the

area of science and technology

due to the challenging

circumstances of the time.

Post - Colonial Period

After achieving independence from

the colonizers, the Philippines,

under different administrations,

continued to pursue programs in

science and technology.

Each leadership had its own science

and technology agenda. However, it

is important to note that some

Philippine presidents posted more

developments in the field than

others.

Presidential Decree No. 78 series of 1972

Pertains to the reorganization of the

Weather Bureau in the Philippines.

The full title of the decree is

“Reorganizing the Weather Bureau

into the Philippine Atmospheric,

Geophysical and Astronomical

Services Administration (PAGASA)

and for Other Purposes.”

NSTA - National science and technology authority

Originally established in 1958

as the National Science and

Development Board.

Department of science and technology revitalization

The Aquino administration prioritized

the revitalization of the Department of Science and

Technology (DOST) to enhance research and

development efforts, technological innovation, and

science education.

Balik scientist program

The administration

launched the Balik Scientist Program to encourage

Filipino scientists and researchers abroad to return to

the Philippines and contribute to local research and

development initiatives.

Fidel v. Ramos - STAND

Science and Technology Agenda

for Development

Fidel v. Ramos: Republic act No. 8439

also known as the

Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers,

Researchers, and other Science and

Technology Personnel in Government – it

aims to promote the welfare and

professional growth of scientists, engineers,

researchers, and other science and

technology personnel working in

government agencies.

Joseph Estrada: clean air act (republic act no.8749 )

This legislation aimed to

address air pollution and promote

clean air in the country by regulating

emissions from vehicles, industries,

and other sources.

Joseph Estrada: E-commerce Act (Republic Act no. 8792)

It provided a legal framework

for electronic transactions and

electronic commerce in the

Philippines, aiming to promote the use

of electronic means for business and

trade.

Gloria M.Arroyo:Establishment of the Commission on

Information and Communications

Technology (CICT)

The CICT was

created in 2004 to oversee and promote the

development of the information and

communications technology sector in the

Philippines.

Gloria M. Arroyo: biofuels act

In 2006, the Biofuels Act

was signed into law, promoting the

development and use of biofuels as

alternative sources of energy.

Gloria M. Arroyo: Development of Indigenous

Technologies

The DOST initiated

projects to develop and promote

indigenous technologies, particularly those

that can benefit marginalized communities.

Gloria M. Arroyo: Mindanao Super Region

The Arroyo

administration emphasized the

development of Mindanao as a "Super

Region," which included initiatives to

enhance agricultural productivity and

modernize farming practices through the

application of science and technology.

Benign Aquino III: Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management

The administration

utilized science and technology for

disaster risk reduction and

management, including the

establishment of the Nationwide

Operational Assessment of

Hazards (NOAH) program.

Benign Aquino III: Climate Change Mitigation and

Adaptation

Initiatives were undertaken

to address climate change impacts

through science-based strategies and

policies.

Benign Aquino III: Science and Technology

Scholarships

The administration

expanded scholarship programs in science

and technology fields to support the

education and training of future scientists,

engineers, and researchers.

Rodrigo roa Duterte: Diwata-2

the second

microsatellite developed by the

Philippines, launched on October 29,

2018. Like its predecessor, Diwata-2

was a collaborative project between

the Philippine Department of Science

and Technology (DOST) and the

University of the Philippines

Diliman, with support from the Japan

Aerospace Exploration Agency

(JAXA).

Rodrigo roa Duterte: The Zamboanga Doppler

Weather Radar System

a state-

of-the-art meteorological radar

system located in Zamboanga City,

Philippines. It was established to

enhance weather monitoring,

forecasting, and disaster risk

reduction efforts in the region.

This radar system is an example of

how modern technology is utilized to

gather real-time weather data and

provide accurate forecasts for the

benefit of communities and disaster

management agencies.

Rodrigo roa Duterte: Republic Act No. 11035

also

known as the "Balik Scientist Act,"

is a law in the Philippines that aims

to encourage the participation of

Filipino scientists, engineers, and

experts living and working abroad in

the country's research and

development activities.

It provides incentives and benefits to

attract these professionals to return to

the Philippines and contribute to

scientific and technological

advancements.

Gavino Trono

Marine Biology and Seaweed

Biodiversity

Angel Alcala

Marine Ecology and Conservation

Ramon Barba

Horticultural Techniques and Crop

Science

Edgardo Gomez

Marine Biology and Coral Reef

Conservation

Abelardo Aguilar .

Isolation of Erythromycin

Gregorio Zara

Physics and Development of the

Zara Effect

Fabian Dayrit

Chemistry and Advocacy for

Coconut Oil

Diosdado Banatao

Computer Engineering and

Semiconductors

Lourdes Cruz

Biochemical Pharmacology and Conotoxins