Spanish Colonial Era

SPANISH COLONIAL ERA
• The colonization of the Philippines contributed to the

growth of science and technology in the archipelago.
The Spaniards introduced formal education and
founded scientific institutions. During the early years
of Spanish rule in the Philippines, Parish schools were
established where religion, reading, writing.
arithmetic and music was taught. Sanitation and more
advanced methods of agriculture were taught to the
natives. Later the Spaniards established colleges and
universities in the archipelago including University of
Santo Tomas.
• The study of medicine in the Philippines was
given priority. In 1871, the school of medicine
and pharmacy was opened at the University of
Santo Tomas. It also contributed to the field of
engineering in the islands by constructing
government buildings, churches, roads, bridges
and forts.The promoted meteorological studies
and founded the Manila Observatory at the
Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1865.
American Period and Post Commonwealth
Era
• The progress of science and technology continued under

American rule. On July 1, 1901, the Philippine Commission
established the Bureau of Government Laboratories which was
placed under the Department of Interior The Bureau replaced
the Laboratorio Municipal which was established during the
Spanish era. On October 26, 1905, the Bureau of Government
Laboratories was replaced by the Bureau of Science The Bureau
dealt with the study of tropical diseases. With the progress of
science and technology, on December 8, 1933, the National
Research Council of the Philippines was recognized. The Bureau
of Science became the primary research center of the
Philippines until World War II.
• Science during the American period was inclined
towards agriculture. food processing, forestry,
medicine, and pharmacy. Not much focus was given on
the development of industrial technology due to free
trade policy with the United States which nurtured an
economy geared towards agriculture and trade.In 1946
the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of
Science. In 1958, during the regime of President
Carlos P. Garcia, the Philippine Congress passed the
Science Act of 1958 which established the National
Science Development Board.
Marcos Era and Martial Law
Science was given importance during the Marcos Regime. In the

amended 1973 Philippine Constitution, Article XV. Section 9 (1), he
declared that the “advancement of science and technology shall have
priority in national “Development”. In his two terms of presidency
and during Martial Law, many laws were enacted promoting science
and technology.
• 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.
DepEd and the National Science Development Board (NSDB)
organized a project to provide selected high schools with science
teaching equipment over a four-year period.
• In 1968 technology was recognized as the leading factor in economic
development and thus additional funds were channeled to support projects
in applied sciences and science education. A big part of the war damage
funds was allocated to fund private universities and encourage them to
pursue programs in science, technology and research. Seminars were also
conducted for public and private high school and college science teachers.
Training programs and scholarships were awarded to graduate and
undergraduate science scholars.The National Science Development Board
established the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission to explore the uses of
atomic energy for economic development. Marcos assisted 107 institutions in
undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists, engineers, doctors
and technicians to study nuclear science and technology abroad.
• Major development projects to reform education were done and which
included research and development, establishment of technical
institutes, science education centers, and agricultural colleges and
vocational high schools. The Philippine Council for Agricultural Research
was also established to support the progressive development of
agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the country. The Council was
attached to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for
administrative purposes.Another agency was established by Presidential
Decree No. 49, s. 1972 and this is the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) under the Department
of National Defense. Its function was to provide environmental
protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of
the people.
• The Philippine National Oil Company was also created to promote
industrial and economic development through effective and
efficient use of energy sources (P.D. No. 334, s. 1973).In 1976, the
National Academy of Science and Technology was established and
was 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 1979, the government
funded scientific research conducted by National Science
Development Board (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.
• The National Committee on Geological Sciences was created in 1980
to advise government and private entities on matters pertaining to
geological sciences (Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980).By virtue of
Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982, the National Science Development
Board and its support agencies was reorganized and was named
National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) to provide central
direction and coordination of scientific and technological research
and development.The Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the
Philippine Science High School were established in 1986 to encourage
careers in science and technology and to be more accessible to the
talented students in the Mindanao and Visayas areas in accordance
with Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986.

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SPANISH COLONIAL ERA

• The colonization of the Philippines contributed to the

• The progress of science and technology continued under

Science was given importance during the Marcos Regime. In the

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