1996 Edition

Description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star

Location

13 00 N, 122 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly larger than Arizona

land area

298,170 sq km

total area

300,000 sq km

Climate

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Coastline

36,289 km

Environment

current issues

uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding grounds

international agreements

party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Tropical Timber 94

natural hazards

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunamis

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 122 00 E

International disputes

involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah

Irrigated land

16,200 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

26%

forest and woodland

40%

meadows and pastures

4%

other

19%

permanent crops

11%

Location

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

continental shelf

to depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth

Natural resources

timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

highest point

Mount Apo 2,954 m

lowest point

Philippine Sea 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: 38% (male 14,486,214; female 14,026,873) 15-64 years: 58% (male 21,403,784; female 21,968,259) 65 years and over: 4% (male 1,165,810; female 1,429,908) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate

29.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%

Infant mortality rate

35.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

Pilipino (official, based on Tagalog), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

68.83 years (1996 est.)

male

63.14 years

total population

65.91 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

female

94.3%

male

95%

total population

94.6%

Nationality

adjective

Philippine

noun

Filipino(s)

Net migration rate

-1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

74,480,848 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

2.18% (1996 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%

Sex ratio

all ages

0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur

Capital

Manila

Constitution

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Data code

RP

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE

telephone

[1] (202) 467-9300

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Secretary was appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments

chief of state and head of government

President Fidel Valdes RAMOS (since 30 June 1992) and Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1992) were elected for six-year terms by popular vote; election last held 11 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of the vote, a narrow plurality

FAX

[1] (202) 328-7614

[63] (2) 522-43-61

consulate(s)

San Diego and San Jose (Saipan)

consulate(s) general

Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle

Flag

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star

House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan)

elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (204 total) Lakas/NUCD 129, LDP 29, NPC (opposition) 25, LP 6, PDP 3, KBL/NPC 1, results pending 11

Independence

4 July 1946 (from US)

International organization participation

APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president on recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council

Legal system

based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress (Kongreso)

Name of country

conventional long form

Republic of the Philippines

conventional short form

Philippines

local long form

Republika ng Pilipinas

local short form

Pilipinas

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, LDP), Edgardo ANGARA; People Power-National Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng EDSA-NUCD or Lakas-NUCD); Raul MANGLAPUS, president and Jose DE VENECIA, secretary general; Liberal Party (LP), Raul DAZA; National People's Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; People's Reform Party (PRP), Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan, KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador H. LAUREL, president; Filipino Democratic Party (Partido Demokratikong Philipinas or PDP), Jose COJUANGCO, is part of the ruling coalition with the LDP

Senate (Senado)

elections last held 8 May 1995 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (24 total) LDP 14, Lakas/NUCD 5, NPC 2, LP 1, PRP 1, independent 1

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

republic

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador-designate Thomas C. HUBBARD

embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000

mailing address

APO AP 96440

telephone

[63] (2) 521-71-16

Agriculture

rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish catch of 2 million metric tons annually

Budget

expenditures

$13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)

revenues

$14.1 billion

Currency

1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos

Economic aid

recipient

ODA, $934 million (1993)

Economic overview

The Philippine economy, primarily a mixture of agriculture and light industry, continued its third year of recovery in 1995, led by growth in exports and investments. Officials have targeted 5%-6% growth for 1996 after achieving 4.8% growth in 1995. The government is continuing its economic reforms to enable the Philippines to move closer to the development of the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure and plans to overhaul the tax system to bolster government revenues.

Electricity

capacity

6,770,000 kW

consumption per capita

278 kWh (1993)

production

20.4 billion kWh

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 26.206 (December 1995), 25.714 (1995), 26.417 (1994), 27.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992), 27.479 (1991)

Exports

$17.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995)

commodities

electronics, textiles, coconut products, copper, fish

partners

US 39%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 5% (1994)

External debt

$41 billion (1995 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $179.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

22%

industry

30%

services

48%

GDP per capita

$2,530 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

4.8% (1995)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradication efforts; transit point for Southwest Asian and Golden Triangle heroin bound for the US

Imports

$26.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995)

commodities

raw materials 40%, capital goods 25%, petroleum products 10%

partners

Japan 24%, US 18%, Singapore 7%, Taiwan 6%, South Korea 5% (1994)

Industrial production growth rate

1.4% (1993)

Industries

textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.1% (1995)

Labor force

24.12 million

by occupation

agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services 18.5%, government 10%, other 9.5% (1989)

Unemployment rate

9.5% (1995 est.)

Branches

Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 1.4% of GDP (1995)

Manpower availability

males age 15-49

18,722,509

males fit for military service

13,221,513

males reach military age (20) annually

767,056 (1996 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 261, FM 55, shortwave 0

Radios

9.03 million (1992 est.)

Telephone system

good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate

domestic

domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations

international

submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)

Telephones

887,229 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations

29

Televisions

7 million (1993 est.) Defense

Airports

total

235

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

25

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

7

with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m

31

with paved runways over 3 047 m

2

with paved runways under 914 m

104

with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

3

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

63 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

22,489 km

total

160,633 km

unpaved

138,144 km (1992 est.)

Merchant marine

note

a flag of convenience registry; Japan owns 22 ships, Hong Kong 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Denmark 1, and UK 1 (1995 est.)

ships by type

bulk 230, cargo 126, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 11, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 9, livestock carrier 12, oil tanker 44, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 12, refrigerated cargo 19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 18, vehicle carrier 25

total

535 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,033,849 GRT/13,101,188 DWT

Pipelines

petroleum products 357 km

Ports

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga

Railways

narrow gauge

499 km 1.067-m gauge (1993)

total

499 km

Waterways

3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels