MODULE 5: LEARNING OBJECTIVES •evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology interms of their contribution to nation building;and •identify actual science and technology policies of the government and appraise their impact on the development of the Filipino nation. TABLE OF CONTENTS MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONALITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES The Philippine's Science and Technology Human Resources The National Scientists 01 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONALITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PHILIPPINES -The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2040 includes S&T related enabling mechanisms toward achieving strong pillars for development. -Considering several fundamental weaknesses in terms of S&T competitiveness, the PDP 2017-2040 emphasizes strategies that shall be pursued to help raise the S&T related pillars (see the previous section on 12 Pillars of Competitiveness) of the country. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONALITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PHILIPPINES The DOST launched in its "8-point action agenda", initially in 2006, to better promote and support science, technology, and innovation. The strategy is relevant in the Philippine's policy system, and were hoped to be sustained with Commitment and better integration into national policies. As generalized in the SEA-ECT-NET (n.d.), this includes: 1. Science-based know-how and tools that enable the agriculture sector to raise productivity to world-class standards; 2. Innovative, cost-effective and appropriate technologies that enable MSMEs to develop and produce competitive products that meet worldclass standards. 3. State-of-the-art facilities and capabilities that enable local industries to move up the value chain and attain global competitiveness. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONALITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PHILIPPINES 4. Idea of the Philippines as a global leader in Information Technology Business Process Management Services generating direct employment of 1.3million (520,000 of which in the countryside). 5. ICT-based transformation of governance broadening access to government services (i.e. health and education) for those in the countryside (to bring the Philippines in the top 50 global ranking of egovernment by 2016). 6. Improved quality healthcare and quality of life thru science, technology, and innovation. 7. Highly skilled and globally competitive S&T human resources in support of the national S&T programs. 8. Science-based weather information and climate change scenarios with associated impact assessments that enable concerned agencies to develop appropriate mitigation strategies for a disaster and climate change resilience Philippines. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONALITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PHILIPPINES A number of DOST programs are being enhanced and continued as mandated by enabling laws and executive orders up to this time. Implementation of these programs are being made possible programs in partnership with other related government agencies. In summarized scope this includes program in R&D, S&T human resource development, www agriculture development, health, and nutrition environment sustainability, and disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation. 02 The Philippine's Science and Technology Human Resources -One of the most promising strategy in breaking the barriers that hinder Philippines progress, in terms of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), is enhancing the competitiveness of the country's science and technology human resources. - This strategy recognizes the role of every individual inventor whose works became the womb of new and innovated scientific knowledge honed towards sustaining the advancements necessary for building the nation. 03 The National Scientists -DOST had launched programs to encourage Filipino scientists, technologists, experts and professionals to continuously share their expertise towards accelerating the STI development system and economic development of the country. Hence, S&T personalities who contributed significantly in the development of the country, as well as their works, deserved to be recognized. -The highest honor given by the President to an individual who had contributed significantly to the fields of science and technology in the country is the order of the National Scientists. A National Scientist receives an annual gratuity and other privileges similar to those enjoyed by National Artists (Presidential Decree 1003A). Currently, there are 41 National Scientists, four of them were the most recently conferred (2014) S&T personalities who were featured by Sabillo (2014) of Philippine Daily Inquirer. The four National Scientists who were featured by Sabillo of Philippine Daily Inquirer Angel C. Alcala, Ph.D. -He was recognized for his research on the ecology and diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles, as well as marine biodiversity and conservation of marine-protected areas. -His work has led to a national policy on marine no-take zones or protective areas, which has become a model of coastal resource management that has been adopted by other countries. Ramon C. Barba, Ph.D. -He was recognized for his achievements in the field of plant physiology, especially the induction of flowering of mango and micro propagation or the rapid multiplying of stock plant of important crop species. Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph.D. -He is known for his research and conservation efforts in invertebrate biology and ecology. -He was pivotal in the world's first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs, resulting in international conservation initiatives such as the Global reefs and Risk Analysis, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and the International Coral Reef Action. Gavino C. Trono, Ph.D. -He was cited for his outstanding contributions in the field of tropical marine phycology, focusing on seaweed biodiversity. -He published extensive studies on the culture of seaweed species that benefited the livelihood of coastal populations and was the first to report the occurrence of "ice-ice" disease that affected many seaweed farms.
