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 Bure

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 núclear

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 estah
to support the progressive development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries

far 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.

Fifth Republic

During Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and

Technology Authority was replaced by the Department of Science and

Technology, giving the department 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. Science and technology was one of the three priorities of the

government towards an economic recovery.