The past decade saw many exciting developments in science and technology (S&T) in the world. It was a time that saw the information and communications technology (ICT) blossoming to the fullest, making the 1990s the decade of ICT. It made the world practically borderless with innovations in computers and the other communications systems. It also saw modern biotechnology reach new heights with the introduction of genetic engineering in plants and animals - dramatized in the cloning of Dolly - and the mapping of the genome of humans, rice and other animals. Of course, there was also the recent Mars landing of NASA's robotic Spirit rover, and Japan's sending to space its first manned spacecraft.

In the Philippines, no such dramatic events occurred. Still, despite its weaknesses and the fact that only about 0.15 percent-a decrease from 0.21 percent at the start of the decade-of its gross domestic product (GDP) was spent on research and development (R&D), it showed its own strengths in S&T in the past 10 years.

"You feel the urgency now [to develop S&T in the Philippines] because of globalization. We see these [foreign] products coming in and competing with our own products. Lagi mong iniisip 'Ano na ang ginagawa ng Thailand? Ng Malaysia?' Because they are our competitors, whether we like it or not," Science Secretary Dr. Estrella Alabastro said.

How does RP's S&T fare?

With its low R&D spending and slow manpower development-two indicators of how developed a country's S&T is-the country shows a weak S&T foundation.

Thus, the Philippines could be ranked third or fourth among its ASEAN neighbors, with Singapore leading the pack. Malaysia is a bit ahead, and it is neck-and-neck with Thailand, followed by Indonesia.

Alabastro said that to improve this status, the government and other sectors have to be deliberate in increasing their spending on R&D, and developing human resources through science education and training of researchers.

If the country continues to lag behind in these aspects, it might be outpaced by Thailand and Indonesia, which have massive human-resource development programs.

"The [country's] earlier public [government] spending of 0.21 percent of its GDP to R&D has even decreased to 0.15 percent. That is very low," Alabastro said, dismayed.

What's worse, 85 percent of R&D is supported by public funds, the opposite of the situation in Japan, where 85 percent of research is financed by the private sector.

"We have to make the private sector more aware of the need for innovation. Anyway they're the ones who benefit," she said.

To remedy the situation, concerned government agencies are engaging in contract research, wherein applicants for government research grants are required to have a private-sector partner, which provides the funding counterpart.

The academe also enters into cooperation agreements with the private sector or with academic institutions abroad.

At the same time, the government has formulated a Human Resource Development Plan to have a focused and coordinated approach in manpower development in S&T.

As an integral part of the DOST's efforts to develop and promote S&T, it implements scholarship programs at secondary, undergraduate and graduate levels, including upgrading training for science and mathematics teachers, the DOST 2002 report said.

In 2002 the DOST supported 2,867 scholars of the Philippine Science High School, 12,133 undergraduate scholars of the Science and Education Institute, 647 PhD and MS scholars of various councils and the upgrading of 4,083 science and math teachers.

S&T through DOST

The Department of Science and Technology is the government agency tasked to lead, provide direction and coordinate the country's scientific and technological development efforts so that their results redound to the well-being and better quality of life for Filipinos.

The DOST was born at the same time when democracy was restored in the Philippines. It was created on January 30, 1987, through Executive Order 128 by then-President Aquino.

Its precursors were the Bureau of Government Laboratories created in 1901, Bureau of Science in 1905, the National Science Development Board in 1958 and the National Science Technology Authority in 1982.

From the Aquino administration, the succeeding administrations formulated their respective S&T plans that were geared to contribute to the national development plans and for the development of S&T in the country.

Mrs. Aquino's Science and Technology Master Plan (STMP) of 1990 outlined the principal S&T strategies and programs to help make the country become a newly industrialized country (NIC) by 2000. The Ramos administration's Science and Technology Agenda for National Development in 1993, with STMP as framework, identified 24 products and services, including the so-called export winners, and those that will meet the basic domestic needs.

However, the ambitious goal of NIC-hood in 2000 never materialized. It showed that the country needed some catching up to do with its more technologically dynamic neighbors.

The Estrada administration formulated its DOST Medium Term for 1999 to 2004, with a vision of an S&T community that its not only competent and competitive but also has a social conscience.

For its part, the Arroyo administration has its 2002-2020 National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP). Its programs for 2002 to 2004 are the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading, Technological Innovation Commercialization and Technology Support Program for E-Governance.

By 2010 the NSTP's goal is to have world-class capabilities in ICT, technological leadership in ASEAN in the fields of biotechnology, materials science and mechatronics, adequate number of quality scientists and engineers, robust-technology-based and knowledge-based industry sectors, globally competitive products, quality S&T oriented higher education sector; well-developed culture of innovation and S&T consciousness, and enhanced private sector participation in R&D.

By 2020 its goal is to have a well-developed S&T-based SME sector, world-class universities in S&T, internationally recognized scientists and engineers, and model status in S&T management and governance.

Product Development

In the past decade, Alabastro told TODAY that a key government focus on S&T was the development of products, including those for export, which jibed with the Department of Trade and Industry priorities.

"Actually that program was difficult to sell then to the scientists," Alabastro said. "Sabi nila 'Bakit short-term?' But [then-science secretary Dr. William Padolina wanted to show that science is relevant to economic development of the country. That it is not as esoteric as people think it to be and concerns only a small group of scientists in an obscure lab. But it is something that can relate directly to the lives of ordinary persons."

Alabastro stressed that through the years, despite the changes in government administrations, there have been "no big changes" in their respective S&T program. Which explains why nothing much has changed in the focus on this aspect under the current NSTP.

However, the short-term program (2002 to 2004) of NSTP on product development is focused on the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in response to President Arroyo's economic policy to support the SMEs.

"We should not be too dependent on the export market. These [SMEs] are the ones that produce the goods for the local market. Many of them are based outside the metropolitan areas and provide employment to the people," Alabastro explained.

The country's SMEs needed S&T intervention because they were having technological problems in product improvement and development, and productivity enhancement to make their products competitive.

The interventions proved fruitful. The products' shelf life was extended, the packaging has become more attractive and the quality more consistent. In the furniture business, for example, the period in wood drying has decreased from 40 days to one week. And many of the SME products have become internationally competitive.

"It improved their financial situation, expanded opportunities and employed more people," she said.

Alabastro cited the similar experience of the emerging economic power, China, which improved its small enterprises in the countryside in the late 1980s-and is now focusing on higher technologies.

Strength in Biosciences

The uproar caused by the emergence of genetically modified organisms [GMO], or more specifically, the Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn, in the country in the last few years, should be seen in a positive light, Alabastro said.

"That [controversy] helped because the people became aware that there is such thing as GMO. It has its advantages, but we have to be careful in adapting it indiscriminately," she said.

Despite the Bt corn's being commercially planted in other countries, the interagency National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines still required stringent rules for its laboratory to field testing to ensure that it can be safely adapted under the local situation, and that it is safe for the environment. The Department of Agriculture has allowed the commercial release of the variety in 2002.

Although biotechnology has been an age-old process-used in the processing of cheese, beer and vaccines for decades-the modern biotechnology, which uses genetic engineering, caused many to protest its allegedly unsafe impact on human health and the environment.

Modern biotechnology advocates, on the other hand, say that is the answer to the need to feed the fast-growing world population, including the Philippines, because it helps develop and improve the quality of products.

Amid the debate, the Philippines is at an advantage because it has a niche and has strength in biosciences. "Pwede tayong mag-compete [with foreign countries] in that area. It is one of the sciences that is most developed in the Philippines, even in terms of number of people specializing in it," Alabastro, an expert in food science and engineering and technology management, said.

Since the early 1990s Filipino scientists have developed a conscious effort to increase competence and capability in biotechnology. They have been collaborating with scientists and groups abroad, such as in Australia and the United States.

Alabastro cited the "exciting" work of the scientists at the Institute of Plant Breeding in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. They are developing transgenic varieties of papaya, such as one resistant to the destructive ring-spot virus and one where ripening can be delayed or can have longer shelf life.

These initiatives will help improve the country's production and trade in papaya, which is not only a popular breakfast fare, but also a cosmetic material.

In this coming decade, called the decade of bioscience, Alabastro sees a positive era for modern biotechnology for the country.

Highs and Lows in ICT

In the 1990s computer courses have become so popular, having been considered as a ticket to fortune for many families, that besides colleges and universities all over the country offering the course, computer schools have mushroomed. Even classes in the elementary-private and public-have introduced computer classes. And with these came the computer-gaming generation.

However, this computer-literacy and ICT training produced only a vast army of junior and middle-level ICT manpower in the country. Compared to the biosciences, which have a big number of highly educated (with PhDs) upper-level workforce, ICT still has a few "cutting-edge" or experts in the field.

Alabastro said one factor is the slowly slipping students' competence in the English language, a problem being addressed by the Department of Education.

The government is addressing this concern through the creation of the Center for Excellence in ICT, a private and public initiative, based in the CALABARZON area. It is attracting competent Filipinos abroad-with good response-to contribute their knowledge and manpower to develop the country's ICT.

At the government level, in response to the call of President Arroyo for all national line agencies to be Internet-connected and with web presence by June 2002 in compliance with the E-Commerce Act, the DOST, specifically through the National Computer Center (NCC), developed a website template and a content management system that enabled national government agencies, LGUs and SUCs to have their web../pages and manage their information.

The DOST, also through the NCC, provided technology support to jump-start E-governance among LGUs. In 2002 it has assisted 59 LGUs in computerizing their operations. The Project on Jump-starting E-Governance for LGUs was designed to provide assistance and build the capability of LGUs in implementing and maintaining application systems that support their revenue-generating functions.

To develop public schools which can serve as a resource center for IT training such as networking, programming and other IT related competencies, the Mirant Philippines Foundation and the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the DOST, through the Philippine Science High School initiated the Project BIG STAR (Bringing Information Technology to Grassroots through Science and Technology Advancement Resources), also in 2002.

Developing a Science Culture

Alabastro stressed the need for proper education for children at the basic level so that the people can develop a science culture, where they think logically and make use of information in making decisions and not just rely on rumors.

"Having a science culture is important not only for those going into a science career, but for our daily life," she said.

She lamented the lack of a budget for education, that results in lack of teachers and overcrowded classrooms. Citing an experience in war-torn Mindanao, she suggested that the private sector and the community should help in providing funds to pay for teachers' salaries, school materials and others.

"The people should realize that education is very important in uplifting our lives. It will also help us choose better leaders."

Stressing the need to develop S&T in the country, Alabastro said: "Wala tayong choice. We have to put S&T in the forefront. Kung hindi, maiiwan tayo ng mga kapitbahay natin," Alabastro said.