Science and technology in the Philippines

1. Marcos Era and Martial Law

During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, the importance given to science grew. In the amended 1973 Philippine
Constitution, Article XV, Section 9 (1), he declared that the "advancement of science and technology shall have
priority in the national development." In his two terms of presidency and during Martial Law, he enacted many laws
promoting science and technology.
In his Second State of the Nation Address on January 23, 1967, he declared that science was necessary for the
development programs, and thus, directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science courses in public
high schools. The Department of Education, with the National Science Development Board (NSDB), is organizing a
project to provide selected high schools with science teaching equipment over a four-year period.
In his Third State of the Nation Address on January 22, 1968, he recognized that technology was the leading factor
in economic development, and channelled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences and science
education.
In his Fourth State of the Nation Address on January 27, 1969, he gave a big part of the war damage fund to private
universities to encourage them to create courses in science and technology and to research. He stated that he
planned a project to have medical interns do a tour of duty in provincial hospitals to arouse their social conscious
and reduce the "brain drain." On April 6, 1968, he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of the
Philippine Science Community. The government also conducted seminars for public and private high school and
college science teachers, training programs and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and
workshops on fisheries and oceanography.
In his Fifth State of the Nation Address on January 26, 1970, he emphasized that the upgrading of science curricula
and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. He added the Philippine Coconut Research
Institute to the NSDB to modernize the coconut industry. The NSDB also established the Philippine Textile
Research Institute. The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission of the NSDB explored the uses of atomic energy for
economic development. Marcos assisted 107 institutions in undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists
to study nuclear science and technology abroad, and providing basic training to 482 scientists, doctors, engineers,
and technicians.
In his Seventh State of the Nation Address on January 24, 1972, he spoke about his major development projects in
reforming sectors of education. Such projects included research and development schools, technical institutes,
science education centers, and agricultural colleges and vocational high schools.
In 1972, he created the National Grains Authority to provide for the development of the rice and corn industry to fully
harness it for the economy of the country (Presidential Decree No. 4, s. 1972). He established the Philippine Council
for Agricultural Research to support the progressive development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the nation.
It was attached to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. He provided
further support for the promotion of scientific research and invention with Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972. This
decree contains details on the protection of intellectual property for the creator or publisher of the work. He
established the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) under the
Department of National Defense to provide environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the
safety of the people (Presidential Decree No. 78, s. 1972).
In 1973, he created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote industrial and economic development through
effective and efficient use of energy sources (Presidential Decree No. 334, s. 1973).
In 1976, he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the National Academy of
Science and Technology, which is composed of scientists with "innovative achievement in the basic and applied
sciences," to serve as a reservoir of scientific and technological expertise for the country.
In 1978, he created a Task Force on the formulation of a national action program on science and technology to
assess policies and programs of science and technology. (Executive Order No. 512, s. 1978)[17] In his Fourteenth
State of the Nation Address on July 23, 1979, he said that the government invested funds and time in organizations
for scientific research, such as the NSDB, the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research and Resources, the Plant
Breeding Institute, the International Rice Research Institute, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the Bureau of Forest
Products. While these projects have had breakthroughs, the market machinery did not adapt and invest in this
technology due to the high-risk front-end costs.
In 1979, he constituted the Health Sciences Center created by R.A. No. 5163 as an autonomous member within the
University of the Philippines System to improve the internal organization and unity of leadership within its units.
(Executive Order No. 519, s. 1979)
In 1980, he created the National Committee on Geological Sciences to advise government and private entities on
matters concerning development in geological sciences. (Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980)
In 1982, he reorganized the National Science Development Board and its agencies into a National Science and
Technology Authority to provide central direction and coordination of scientific and technological research and
development. (Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982) He granted salary increases to the people with teaching positions
in the Philippine Science High School due to their necessity in the advancement of national science. (Executive
Order No. 810, s. 1982). He enacted a law on the completion of the National Agriculture and Life Sciences
Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños. (Executive Order No. 840, s. 1982)
In 1986, he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School to encourage
careers in science and technology and to be more accessible to the talented students in the Mindanao and Visayas
areas. (Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986)

2. Corazon Aquino
In 1986, during Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and Technology Authority was replaced by
the Department of Science and Technology, giving science and technology a representation in the cabinet. Under
the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for the years 1987-1992, science and technology's role in economic
recovery and sustained economic growth was highlighted. During Corazon Aquino's State of the Nation Address in
1990, she said that science and technology development shall be one of the top three priorities of the government
towards an economic recovery.
On August 8, 1988, Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came
up with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for the Philippines to
achieve newly industrialized country status by the year 2000. The Congress did not put much priority in handling
bills related to science and technology. The Senate Committee on Science and Technology was one of the
committees that handle the least amount of bills for deliberation.
Former DOST Secretary Ceferin Follosco reported that the budget allocation for science and technology was
increased to 1.054 billion pesos in 1989 from the previous year's 464 million pesos. However, due to the Asian
financial crisis, budget allocation for the years 1990 and 1991 were trimmed down to 920 and 854 million pesos
respectively. Budget allocation increased to 1.7 billion pesos in 1992.
During her term, President Corazon Aquino encouraged scientists and inventors to bring the Philippines to its former
position as second to only Japan in the field of science and technology. One of the goals of her administration was
to achieve the status as being an industrialized country by 2000. She urged that the private research sector form a
stronger bond between public research to help jump-start the progress in the area of Philippine Research and
Development.
Ironically, it was during President Corazon Aquino’s term and the reorganization of Philippine bureaucracy that
Executive Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the “Philippine Inventors Incentive Act.” This
Philippine Inventors Commission was under the Science Development board. It gave assistance to Filipino inventors
through giving financial aid, patent application assistance, legal assistance, and to help inventors market their
products domestically and abroad. Despite the abolishment of the Philippine Inventors Commission, her
administration gave rise to new avenues for the government to aid the progress of Science and Technology in the
country.
R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to free education up to the secondary
level, implemented in the education system together with this was the “Science for the Masses Program” which
aimed at scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos. The Aquino administration recognized the importance
of science and technology in the development of the Philippines into a newly industrialized country. Funding for the
science and technology sector was tripled from 464 million in 1986 to 1.7 billion in 1992. The Science and
Technology Master Plan was formulated which aimed at the modernization of the production sector, upgrading
research activities, and development of infrastructure for science and technological purposes. A Research and
Development Plan was also formulated to examine and determine which areas of research needed attention and
must be given priority. The criteria for identifying the program to be pursued were, development of local materials,
probability of success, potential of product in the export market, and the its strategic nature. The grants for the
research and development programs was included in the Omnibus Investment Law.

3. Fidel V. Ramos
There were noticeable improvements regarding science and technology as stated in President Fidel Ramos' State of
the Nation Address. In his third SONA, there was a significant increase in personnel specializing in the science and
technology field. At 1998, the Philippines was estimated to have around 3,000 competent scientists and engineers.
Adding to the increase of scientists would be the result of the two newly built Philippine Science High Schools in
Visayas and Mindanao which promotes further development of young kids through advance S&T curriculum. The
government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who were taking up professions related to S&T. Schools were
becoming more modernized and updated with the addition of high-tech equipment for student improvement and
teachers were getting training programs to benefit themselves and their students. Health care services were
promoted through local programs such as "Doctors to the Barrio Program." The health care programs were
innovative and effective as shown by the change in life expectancy from 67.5 years in 1992 to 69.1 years in 1995.
Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No.
8439) was established. The award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for people who have been
influential in the field of S&T. In the sixth SONA, education was one of the primary story-lines wherein programs
such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology and enactment of a law creating a
nationwide system of high schools specializing in the field of science and engineering.
Fidel V. Ramos believes that science and technology was one of the means wherein the Philippines could attain the
status of new industrialized country (NIC). During his term, he was able to establish programs that were significant
to the field of S&T. In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND) was established.
Among its priorities were: (1) exporting winners identified by the DTI; (2) domestic needs identified by the
President's Council for Countryside Development; (3) support industries and (4) coconut industry development.
Congress, during his term, was able to enact laws that were significant for the field. Among were: (1) Magna Carta
for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439); (2) Science and Technology Scholarship Law of
1994 (Republic Act No. 7687) and (3) Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459). The
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) was enacted during Ramos' term. The law
provides industrial property rights, copyrights and related rights, and technology transfer arrangements.

4. Joseph Estrada
In President Joseph Estrada's term, two major legislations that he signed were Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
(Republic Act No. 8749) which was designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable
development of its natural resources, and Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) which outlaws
computer hacking and provides opportunities for new businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy.
Aside from these, in his first State of the Nation Address, President Estrada launched a full-scale program based on
cost-effective irrigation technologies. He also announced that Dole-outs are out, which meant basic health care,
basic nutrition, and useful education for those who want, but cannot afford it. Lastly, he said that they would speed
up the program to establish one science high school in every province. It was in his second State of the Nation
Address that President Estrada announced the passage of the Clean Air Act, and the decision to pursue the 15-year
modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His last State of the Nation Address pushed for the
advancement of industries and schools into the Internet age, as well as the announcement of the passage of the e-
Commerce Act.

5. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
In the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the science and technology sector of the Philippines was dubbed as
the "golden age" of science and technology by then secretary Estrella Albastro. Numerous laws and projects that
concerns both the environment and science to push technology as a tool to increase the country's economic level.
This is to help increase the productivity from Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) and help benefit the poor
people. Moreover, the term "Filipinnovation" was the coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation
hub in Asia.
The STI was developed further by strengthening the schools and education system such as the Philippine Science
High School (PSHS), which focuses in science, technology and mathematics in their curriculum. This helps schools
produce get more involved in this sector. Private sectors were also encouraged to participate in developing the
schools through organizing events and sponsorships. Future Filipino scientists and innovators can be produced
through this system.
Helping the environment was one of the focus in developing technology in the Philippines. One of the more known
laws to be passed by her administration was the R.A. 9367 or the "Biofuels" act. This act promotes the development
and usage of biofuels throughout the country. This potentially enables a cheaper alternative to gasoline as a
medium in producing energy. Also, this benefits the environment since it boasts a cleaner emission compared to
regular fuel. Yet, setbacks such as lack of raw materials is holding the full implementation of the laws since
importing the necessary materials are imported more.[5] On one hand, drought-free rice was also highly encouraged
to by used during her term. This enables farmers to produce rice despite the environmental hazards that slows or
stops the production.
In an effort to improve the efficiency 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, maintenance and project implementation of agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment (Section
4).

6. Noynoy Aquino
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, and Edgardo D. Gomez was honored in
their respective fields. Trono's contribution helped a lot of families in the coastal populations through the extensives
studies he made on seaweed species. On the other hand, Alcala served as the pioneer scientist and advocate of
coral reefs aside from his contribution in the fields of systematics, secology and herpetology. Barba's contribution
changes the seasonal supply of fresh fruits to an all year round availability of mangoes through his studies on the
induction of flowering of mango and micropropagation of important crop species. Lastly, Gomez steered the
national-scale assessment of damage coral reefs which led a national conservation.