Last week marked another milestone in Filipino technological achievement with the launch into space of Maya-1, the country’s first cube satellite, for delivery to the International Space Station prior to its scheduled launch into orbit in August this year.

Developed by Filipinos Joven Javier and Adrinan Sales at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan, the Maya-1 satellite is a research tool in space, mainly to log data corruption caused by space radiation. The first satellite designed and built by Filipinos, Diwata-1, was launched in 2016.

The launch of Maya-1 becomes doubly significant coming as it is on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing into law of the “Balik-Scientist” program, meant to entice Filipino scientists working abroad to go back and help in our country’s bid to catch up with our more advanced neighbors.

It was more than just an incentive. It was a policy shift in recognition that science and technology is an equalizer.

History is replete with examples of the crucial role of technology in development. On its knees after its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan managed to reverse its fortunes to emerge as an economic power and technological innovator.

Israel’s stunning victory in the historic 6-day War was largely attributed to its air superiority, with the help of French-made Mirage fighter planes tweaked by Israeli scientists and engineers. Technology also played a large part in China’s rise into an economic powerhouse and a world power.

There were actually road maps in the past to make our country a force to reckon with in technology but it seems we got lost along the way. For example, as early as in the 1960s we already had our own nuclear reactor for research purposes. In the 70s we started leasing satellites but managed to operate our own only in 1994.

In 1972, Navy brass and Filipino scientists developed our own liquid-propellant rocket under Project Sta Barbara, with a range of 25-50 kilometers, but was scrapped under the Cory Aquino administration. The Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation, established in 1973, had developed its prototypes for a light plane and helicopter but both projects were abandoned later for lack of funds.

While the “Balik-Scientist” law is laudable, it may not be sufficient to achieve our long-term goal of harnessing science and technology not only for development but to protect our country’s national interests.

During the hearing on the Balik-Scientist bill, it was revealed also we have only 189 scientists per million, when the ideal ratio is 380 scientists per million. On the other hand, South Korea and the United States, have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.

Data from the Commission on Higher Education also show as of 2016 only 39 percent out of the country’s college students were enrolled in STEAM ((Science, Technology, Engineering, Agri-Fisheries, Mathematics) courses; the rest or 61 percent were in non-STEAM courses.

To attain the vision of the Philippines as a technological force, the government must devise a system of incentives not only for scientists but also for inventors, technology innovators, as well as promising technology startups.

But if the government is serious in awakening the potential of Filipinos in science and technology, the drive must start from the time a child enters school.

An intensive and coordinated program is needed to make Science and Mathematics the most interesting among the numerous subjects the students have to take. Likewise, such campaign must utilize traditional and social media to drive youth interest in science and technology.

We are looking forward to a time when children, who are asked what they would like to be when they grow up would reply, “I want to be a scientist.”