IM No.:IM-GE STS-2nd SEM-2021-2022
Irish B. Cacliong
BSED-ENGLISH 2A
Science, Technology, and Society (E0182)
I.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Identify one Filipino scientist whose contribution has made a great impact on our society. Write
a biography of the said scientist. (30 pts)
Juan Salcedo Jr.
A Filipino scientist who studied and wrote about nutrition and public health. In 1978, he was named
National Scientist.
Personal Information
Birth Date: September 29, 1904
Died: October 25, 1988
Birthplace: Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Education
College: University of the Philippines (1929)
Course: Medicine
Post Graduate (Masters): Biochemistry, Columbia University (1943)
Career Highlights
* Published over 200 articles on medicine, science, and technology
* Professor and head of the Department of Hygiene and Nutrition, UP College * of Medicine
* Secretary of Health during President Quirino’s term
* Chairman of the National Science Development Board (NSDB) (1963-1970)
* Chairman of the National Research Council of the Philippines (1961-1976)
* President of the World Health Organization (1952-1953)
* President of the Araneta University Foundation (1970-1981)
Awards
1978 – National Scientist
Dr. Salcedo contributed immensely to the areas of biochemistry, nutrition, physiology. As science
administrator to science policy development, science promotion and scientific manpower development,
he has published 265 works and researches in Philippine and foreign science journals.
His involvement in nutrition started with Bataan Experiment, proving that rice enrichment by thiamine and
other nutrients including iron can solve beri-beri, then a leading cause of death in the Philippines. Salcedo
has a number of scientific papers cited in reviews and textbooks of biochemistry, health and nutrition. He
was former Pres. Quirino’s Secretary of Health, chairman of the National Science Development Board
(NSDB) from 1963 to 1970 and chairman of the National Research Council of the Philippines from 19611976. Dr. Salcedo finished his medical degree at the University of the Philippines in 1929 and his master’s
degree in Biochemistry at Columbia University in 1943. Dr. Salcedo earned his degrees from the
University of the Philippines in 1929 and Columbia University in 1943. He was conferred the status of
National Scientist in 1978. He was widely known as an authority in nutrition and public health and a
medical statesman.
Dr. Juan Salcedo conducted medical research to improve the health and nutrition of Filipinos. He spent
much of his lifetime studying health factors, ranging from fatty acids to vitamins. He has published more
than 200 articles on medicine, science, and technology, all of which noted the needs for proper utilization
of science, hand in hand with technology, in the process of shaping the nation not only on the economic
plane also from a social perspective.
IM No.:IM-GE STS-2nd SEM-2021-2022
He became president of the World Health Organization Assembly from 1952-1953, elected unopposed;
president of Araneta University Foundation from 1970-1981; and Professional and Head, Department of
Physiological Hygiene and Nutrition, College of Medicine, UP from 1954-1958. –Rea Hebron
II.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Identify at least one issue in the field of Science and Technology in the Philippines. Discuss
any related S & T policy that could be developed and implemented if you think can solve this
issue. (20pts)
The Philippines faces multiple global and local challenges which require science and technology.
the intensifying competition from globalization and regional integration;
natural disasters, environmental degradation and climate change;
and persistent poverty and increasing inequality.
Without ST: we will not be competitive; we will continue to suffer great damage from natural
disasters, environmental degradation and climate change; and we will continue to be poor.
Science and technology are an indispensable component of the response to our challenges.
However, the Philippines is at present ill-prepared to cope with these challenges. We are not
investing sufficient resources in science and technology (S&T) human resource development,
research and development (R&D), and physical infrastructure. Today we lack even the minimum
number of scientists and technologists needed for innovation-driven development. As a result,
we suffer from low industrial and agricultural productivity, overall inefficiency, and a meager
output of knowledge products, such as scientific publications, patents, and innovations. Where
there are highly-trained scientists and technologists, there is not enough local investment to
absorb them. Thus, we are engaged in an unwinnable effort to stem the exodus of our highlytrained professionals to countries that are able to provide them the material reward, productive
working conditions, and social recognition that are denied them in own country.
We should adapt:
Facilitate access of MSME (Micro, small and medium enterprises) to advanced technologies
and global markets. An industrial extension network should be established to assist and train
MSME in using advanced technologies and accessing financing to produce higher valued
products that can be marketed globally.
Agriculture
Agriculture has the greatest potential to solve urgent national problems, in particular, poverty,
unemployment, overpopulation in the cities, poor health and nutrition, and environmental
degradation. We should redirect agricultural production programs from single commodity (e.g.,
rice, livestock, fisheries) to a farming systems-oriented program. Replace rice sufficiency with
food security as the primary national goal. Restructure agricultural, including education and
extension services, to make them a catalyst for diversification, integration and intensification in
the farms. Give the highest priority to applied biology and biotechnology, flexible machinery
systems, and utilization of information technology. Formulate innovative policies that promote
coupling of mechanization with energy self-reliance in all steps of the value chain, using
renewables and indigenous sources of energy. Manage land and water resources to ensure
food security and the protection of the environment. Actively promote diversification in
agricultural production to ensure food security and promote better nutrition. Invest in the local
production of agricultural inputs, such as high-value animal care products and machinery. Adopt
a whole industry approach to the coconut sector, which includes agricultural production,
integrated processing, health research, biofuels, and oleochemicals.
It is now clearly accepted that science and technology are a key element in the advancement of
a country.
IM No.:IM-GE STS-2nd SEM-2021-2022
2. Discuss science education related issues and problems in the country. If you are given the
authority to solve or chair an education committee, how do you address said issue? What
policy/policies are you going to propose/implement? (10 points)
The rapid advancement of science and technology poses a significant challenge to the entire humanity
to keep up with the fast-societal development rhythmically, most especially in the third world and
developing countries like the Philippines. Being in rhythmic motion does not merely imply acquiring
advance facilities and technologies but rather, the acquisition and enhancement of knowledge and skills
essential in meeting the demands of the highly competitive and scientifically-inclined society must be
given with more attention. The secret to which lies primarily on the quality of science education is one of
the fundamental concerns. Among all the subjects being taught in elementary and high school, science
is the most logical anchor for environmental education. And in this larger area, Philippine education has
suffered. This is the reason why environmental education is deficient – it’s very anchor which is science
is weak.
The main factors that account for the low performance in science of the Filipino students include the lack
of support for a scientific culture reflected in the deficiencies regarding the school curriculum, the
inadequate teaching learning process, insufficient instructional materials and lack of teacher training. For
instance, the lack of good and engaging textbooks and lack of science equipment have hindered the
conduct of scientific investigations and hands-on activities among Filipino pupils. The science curriculum
being used in the high school and other institutions was old.
If given a chance to solve this issue, I would want to implement the use of inquiry strategies to teach
science that can improved student’s performance by improving understanding of the content. Inquiry
strategies enable learners to develop critical thinking skills as they use hands on activities and other
activities to learn the content. The hands-on activities enable students to apply the content learned in
class in real life and find solutions to problems.
These are my proposal solutions to the problem of poor science education in our country. Thus, it is a
great challenge for us, future educators of the young mind, to be idealistic, innovative and creative enough
to minimize this problem. As a future teacher, we are expected to be productive in our field in the near
future, for us to help ascend this country, and prove to the rest of the world, that we are not left behind.