2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

79 provinces and 117 chartered cities

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, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 35% (male 15,961,365/female 15,340,065) 15-64 years: 61% (male 27,173,919/female 27,362,736) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,576,089/female 2,054,503) (2006 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 20-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 an armed Communist insurgency and from Muslim separatists in the south, as well as from impeachment attempts by political elites and civil groups unhappy with the current administration. Geography Philippines

Birth rate

24.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Capital

geographic coordinates

14 35 N, 121 00 E

name

Manila

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Death rate

5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

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%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Executive branch

chief of state

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

head of government

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

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

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.)

Independence

12 June 1898 (from Spain)

Infant mortality rate

female

19.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

25.59 deaths/1,000 live births

total

22.81 deaths/1,000 live births

Irrigated land

15,500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

19%

other

64.33% (2005)

permanent crops

16.67%

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

73.24 years (2006 est.)

male

67.32 years

total population

70.21 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 (2007)

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

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

23 years (2006 est.)

male

22 years

total

22.5 years

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 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

-1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Population

89,468,677 (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate

1.8% (2006 est.)

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)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Total fertility rate

3.11 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

256 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36

total

83

under 914 m

10 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 69

under 914 m

99 (2006)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Philippine Air Force (Hukbomg Himpapawid ng Pilipinas) (2006)

Budget

expenditures

$21.38 billion; including capital expenditures of NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$19.44 billion

Currency (code)

Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code

PHP

Current account balance

$5.355 billion (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$61.49 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney

embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila

mailing address

PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone

[63] (2) 528-6300

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Willy C. GAA

telephone

[1] (202) 467-9300

Disputes - international

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; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau

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 its high level of annual remittances 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 about 5% between 2002 and 2006 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 the alleviation of poverty 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 this situation 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 have at times expressed concern about the Philippines' ability to service the debt, though central bank reserves appear adequate and large remittance inflows appear stable. The implementation of the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2005 boosted confidence in the government's fiscal capacity and helped to strengthen the peso, making it East Asia's best performing currency in 2005-06. Investors and credit rating institutions will continue to look for effective implementation of the new VAT and continued improvement in the government's overall fiscal capacity in the coming year.

Electricity - consumption

49.41 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2006)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2006)

Electricity - production

53.13 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

55.6%

hydro

17.5%

nuclear

0%

other

26.9% (2001)

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.5747 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004), 54.203 (2003), 51.604 (2002)

Exports

$44.2 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 18%, Japan 17.5%, China 9.9%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 6.6%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 328-7614

[63] (2) 522-4361

consulate(s) general

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

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

14.3%

industry

32.1%

services

53.7% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,000 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.3% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$98.48 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$443.1 billion (2006 est.)

Heliports

2 (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

31.9% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.3%

IDPs

60,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2006)

Illicit drugs

domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years; longstanding marijuana producer This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$48.76 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 19.2%, Japan 17%, Singapore 7.9%, Taiwan 7.5%, China 6.3%, South Korea 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2006 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.6% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.ph

Internet hosts

111,262 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

33 (2000)

Internet users

7.82 million (2005) Transportation Philippines

Investment (gross fixed)

14.3% of GDP (2006 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

36.65 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

36%

industry

16%

services

48% (2004 est.)

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; 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 (2004)

elections

Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held 14 May 2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held 14 May 2007)

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

20,009,526 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

20,131,179

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

16,931,191 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

15,170,096

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

878,712 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

907,542

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 82, cargo 115, chemical tanker 13, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 17, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 13

foreign-owned

66 (Greece 5, Hong Kong 3, Japan 26, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 19, Norway 3, UAE 1, US 8)

registered in other countries

41 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 1, Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 16, Indonesia 1, Panama 13, Singapore 5) (2006)

total

403 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,661,285 GRT/6,426,183 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$836.9 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.9% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Philippines

Military service age and obligation

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

Natural gas - consumption

2.9 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

2.9 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

106.8 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

342,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

312,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - production

25,320 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

152 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Pipelines

gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) [Ronaldo PUNO]; Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA]; Liberal Party or LP [Franklin DRILON/Eli QUINTO]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA]; Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ALAGAD [Rep. Rodante MARROLITA]; ALIF [Rep. Acmad TOMAWIS]; An Waray [Rep. Horencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; APEC [Reps. Ernesto PABLO, Edgar VALDEZ]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; AVE [Rep. Eulogio MAGSAYSAY]; 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]; COOP-NATCO [Rep. Guillermo CUA]; GABRIELA [Rep. Liza MAZA]; Partido Ng Manggagawa [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO]; Veterans Federation of the Philippines [Rep. Ernesto GIDAYA] (2006)

Population below poverty line

40% (2001 est.)

Ports and terminals

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

Public debt

69.6% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 375, FM 596, shortwave 4

note

each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2006)

Radios

11.5 million (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2005)

total

897 km

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$20.57 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

19,804 km

total

200,037 km

unpaved

180,233 km (2003)

Telephone system

domestic

domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellular communications now dominate the industry with roughly 10 mobile cellular subscribers for every fixed-line subscriber

general assessment

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

international

country code - 63; 11 international gateways; submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, and Malaysia among others

Telephones - main lines in use

3,437,500 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular

32.81 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

233; note - 1480 CATV networks (2006)

Televisions

3.7 million (1997)

Unemployment rate

8.4% (2006 est.)

Waterways

3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2005)