Fields of Science in the Philippines

PRE- SPANISH ERA

• Filipinos had practices linked to

science and technology.

• Awareness of the medical and

therapeutic properties of plants.

• Methods of extracting medicine

from herbs were already in use

SPANISH COLONIAL ERA

• The colonization contributed to

the growth of science and

technology

• Introduction of formal education

and scientific institutions.

• Establishment of colleges and

universities, including:

◦ The University of Santo Tomas

(oldest existing university in Asia).

• Focus on trade due to the

prospects of big profits.

• The opening of the Suez Canal

led to:

◦ Influx of European visitors.

◦ Some Filipinos studying in

Europe, influenced by Enlightenment

ideals

AMERICAN PERIOD

• Continued progress in science

and technology under American

rule.

• On July 1, 1901:

◦ The Philippine Commission

established the Bureau of Government

Laboratories.

◦ This replaced the Laboratorio

Municipal from the Spanish era.

• The Bureau focused on:

◦ Laboratory projects.

◦ Study of tropical diseases

POST COMMONWEALTH ERA

• In the 1970s, during Ferdinand

Marcos' presidency:

◦ Increased importance given to

science.

◦ 1973 Constitution, Article XV,

Section 1 acknowledged government

support for scientific research and

invention.

• In 1974:

◦ A science development

The program was included in the

government's four- year development

plan (1974-1978).

AMERICAN PERIOD (Continued)

• Science focused on:

◦ Agriculture

◦ Forestry.

◦ Food processing

◦ Medicine and pharmacy.

• Limited focus on industrial

technology due to free trade

policies with the United States

• In 1946:

◦ The Bureau of Science was

replaced by the Institute of Science.

◦ Lack of basic information for

industries.

◦ Insufficient support for

experimental work.

◦ Minimal budget for scientific

research.

◦ Low salaries for

government-employed scientists.

• In 1958:

◦ The Science Act established the

National Science Development

POST COMMONWEALTH ERA

(Continued)

• In 1986, during Corazon Aquino's

presidency:

◦ The National Science and

Technology Authority was replaced by

the Department of Science and

Technology.

◦ Science and technology

gained representation in the cabinet.

• Under the Medium Term

Philippine Development PIan

(1987-1992):

◦ Emphasis on science and

technology's role in economic recovery

and growth.

• In her 1990 State of the Nation

Address, Aquino prioritized

science and technology

development.

Presidential Task Force for

Science and Technology

• Created on August 8, 1988, by

Corazon Aquino

• Developed the first Science and

Technology Master Plan (STMP).

• Goal: Achieve newly industrialized

country status by 2000,

• Congress showed little priority

for science and technology bills.

• The Senate Committee on

Science and Technology handled

few bills.

Budget Allocations

‣ Former Science and Technology

Secretary Ceferin Follosco

reported:

◦ Budget increased to 1.054 billion

pesos in 1989 from 464 million pesos.

◦ Budget cuts during the Asian

financial crisis:

■ 1990: 920 million pesos.

■ 1991: 854 million pesos.

◦ Increased budget to 1.7 billion

pesos in 1992.