2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

79 provinces and 116 chartered cities : provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay : chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi, Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.4% (male 15,869,636/female 15,255,588) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 26,503,785/female 26,722,511) 65 years and over: 4% (male 1,523,213/female 1,982,740) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, casavas, pineapples, fish, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef

Airports

255 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 100 (2004 est.)

Area

land

298,170 sq km

total

300,000 sq km

water

1,830 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Arizona

Background

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separatists in the south. Geography Philippines

Birth rate

25.31 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$15.84 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.4 million (2004 est.)

revenues

$12.22 billion

Capital

Manila

Climate

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

Coastline

36,289 km

Constitution

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of the Philippines

conventional short form

Philippines

local long form

Republika ng Pilipinas

local short form

Pilipinas

Currency (code)

Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code

PHP

Current account balance

$3.6 billion (2004 est.)

Death rate

5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$55.6 billion (September 2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Charge d'Affaires Darryl N. JOHNSON (Ambassador-designate Michael MICHALAK)

embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila

FAX

[63] (2) 522-4361

mailing address

PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone

[63] (2) 523-6300

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)

FAX

[1] (202) 328-7614

telephone

[1] (202) 467-9300

Disputes - international

The Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.6 (2003)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA commitments, $2 billion (2004)

Economy - overview

The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annual remittances of $7-8 billion from overseas workers and no sustained runup in asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis. From a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic slowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDP growth accelerated to 4.3% in 2002, 4.7% in 2003, and about 6% in 2004, reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and improved exports and agricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in poverty alleviation given the Philippines' high annual population growth rate and unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also faces higher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar borrowings, and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's ability to finance infrastructure and social spending. The Philippines' consistently large budget deficit has produced a high debt level and has forced Manila to spend a large portion of the national government budget on debt service. Large, unprofitable public enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute to the government's debt because of slow progress on privatization. Credit rating agencies are increasingly concerned about the Philippines' ability to sustain the debt; legislative progress on new revenue measures will weigh heavily on credit rating decisions.

Electricity - consumption

46.05 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - production

52.86 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

55.6%

hydro

17.5%

nuclear

0%

other

26.9% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Apo 2,954 m

lowest point

Philippine Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Ethnic groups

Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Llocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos per US dollar - 56.04 (2004), 54.203 (2003), 51.604 (2002), 50.993 (2001), 44.192 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments

chief of state

President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%

elections

president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO) elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)

head of government

President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001)

Exports

$38.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts, copper products, chemicals

Exports - partners

Japan 20.1%, US 18.2%, Netherlands 9%, Hong Kong 7.9%, China 6.7%, Singapore 6.6%, Taiwan 5.6%, Malaysia 5.2% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Philippines

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major

geographical divisions of the country

Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top Economy Philippines

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

14.8%

industry

31.9%

services

53.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.9% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$430.6 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Geography - note

the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait People Philippines

Government type

republic

Heliports

2 (2004 est.) Military Philippines

Highways

paved

19,202 km

total

202,124 km

unpaved

182,922 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2003)

Illicit drugs

exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine; domestic methamphetamine production is a growing problem; remains on Financial Action Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$37.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, vehicles and vehicle parts, plastic, chemicals, grains

Imports - partners

US 18.8%, Japan 17.4%, Singapore 7.8%, Taiwan 7.3%, South Korea 6.2%, China 6%, Malaysia 4.5% (2004)

Independence

12 June 1898 (from Spain)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2004 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

20.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

26.34 deaths/1,000 live births

total

23.51 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.ph

Internet hosts

38,440 (2002)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

33 (2000)

Internet users

3.5 million (2002) Transportation Philippines

Investment (gross fixed)

17% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

15,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials)

Labor force

35.86 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 36%, industry 16%, services 48% (2004 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

18.95%

other

64.28% (2001)

permanent crops

16.77%

Languages

two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 members representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP 13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas 7, LP 3, KNP (coalition) 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected Vice President; 14 senators are pro-government, 9 are in opposition; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11, others 20; party-listers 24; note - there are 211 rather than 212 sitting representatives because one was appointed Secretary of Tourism (2004)

elections

Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2007)

Life expectancy at birth

female

72.92 years (2005 est.)

male

67.03 years

total population

69.91 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.7% (2002) Government Philippines

male

92.5%

total population

92.6%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2004)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 20,131,179 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 15,170,096 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

907,542 (2005 est.)

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

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

Median age

female

22.8 years (2005 est.)

male

21.77 years

total

22.27 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 85, cargo 109, chemical tanker 13, container 5, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 15, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 47, refrigerated cargo 23, roll on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 14

foreign-owned

69 (Canada 1, China 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong 2, Japan 31, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 20, Norway 1, UAE 1, United States 2)

registered in other countries

40 (2005)

total

419 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,524,259 GRT/6,437,171 DWT

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$805.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1% (2004) Transnational Issues Philippines

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 June (1898) note: 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Nationality

adjective

Philippine

noun

Filipino(s)

Natural gas - consumption

25 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

2.5 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

107.6 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

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

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

338,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

312,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - production

26,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

152 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Pipelines

gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, chairperson]; Liberal Party or LP [Franklin DRILON, president; Jose ATIENZA, JR., chairman]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN, president]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, president]; Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA, president; Juan Ponce ENRILE, chairman]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR, president]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO, president}

Political pressure groups and leaders

AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; Bayan Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep. Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA [Rep. Liza MAZA]; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)

Population

87,857,473 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

1.84% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Surigao

Public debt

74.2% of GDP (September 2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2004)

Radios

11.5 million (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2004)

total

897 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

150,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2004)

Religions

Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$16.05 billion (2004)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations

general assessment

good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate

international

country code - 63; 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan

Telephones - main lines in use

3,310,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

15.201 million (2002)

Television broadcast stations

225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)

Televisions

3.7 million (1997)

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Total fertility rate

3.16 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.7% (2004 est.)

Waterways

3,219 km note: limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m (2004)