Science, Technology and Nation Building

1. Science, Technology
and Nation-Building

2. Colonial Period
 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 education system that were enjoyed by the
principalia class.

3. Principalia Class
 The Principalía or noble class was the ruling and usually educated
upper class in the towns of Spanish Philippines, comprising the
gobernadorcillo (who had functions similar to a town mayor), and
the cabezas de barangay (heads of the barangays) who governed the
districts.

4. Colonial Period
 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.

5. Post-Colonial Period
 After achieving independence from the colonizers, the
Philippines under different administration, continued to
pursue programs in science and technology. Each
leadership had had its own science and technology agenda.
However, it is important to note than some Philippine
president posted more development in the fields than
others.

6. Post-Colonial Period
 After achieving independence from the colonizers, the Philippines under different
administration, continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each
leadership had had its own science and technology agenda. However, it is important to
note than some Philippine president posted more development in the fields than others.
 One of the president who ushered in advancement in science and technology was
former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Under his term, many agencies in
science and technology were established and strengthen, including the Philippine
atmospheric geophysical and astronomical services administration (PAGASA) in place
of the abolished whether bureau; the national academy of science and technology
(NAST); and the reconstituted national science technology authority (originally
established in 1958) as the National Science and Development Board and now the
Department of Science and Technology), Among others, Marcos saw that the key to
nation-building is the continued development of science and technology. The progress
in science and technology continued even after his dictatorial rule and the presidents
after him left their own legacies in the field.