2010 Edition

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 World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and on-again/off-again peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New Peoples' Army insurgency also operates through much of the country.

Area

land

298,170 sq km

total

300,000 sq km

water

1,830 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Arizona

Climate

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

Coastline

36,289 km

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

343 cu m/yr (2000)

total

28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%)

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

Irrigated land

15,500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

19%

other

64.33% (2005)

permanent crops

16.67%

Location

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

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

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

volcanism

the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m, 1,020 ft), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m, 8,077 ft), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo and Ragang

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Total renewable water resources

479 cu km (1999)

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

25.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

5.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2007)

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,300 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

17.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

22.49 deaths/1,000 live births

total

19.94 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

74.45 years (2010 est.)

male

68.45 years

total population

71.38 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.7% (2000 census)

male

92.5%

total population

92.6%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis

water contact disease

leptospirosis (2009)

Median age

female

23.2 years (2010 est.)

male

22.2 years

total

22.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Philippine

noun

Filipino(s)

Net migration rate

-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

99,900,177 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.931% (2010 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

12 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.23 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

65% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

80 provinces and 120 chartered cities

chartered cities

Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, 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, Marikina, Masbate, Mati, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Navotas, 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 Juan, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009)

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, Dinagat Islands, 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

Capital

geographic coordinates

14 35 N, 121 00 E

name

Manila

time difference

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

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS Jr.

embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila

FAX

[63] (2) 301-2399

mailing address

PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone

[63] (2) 301-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Willy C. GAA

consulate(s) general

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

FAX

[1] (202) 467-9417

telephone

[1] (202) 467-9300

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010); Vice President Jejomar BINAY (since 30 June 2010); note - president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Benigno AQUINO elected president; percent of vote - Benigno AQUINO 42.1%, Joseph ESTRADA 26.3%, seven others 31.6%; Jejomar BINAY elected vice president; percent of vote Jejomar BINAY 41.6%, Manuel ROXAS 39.6%, six others 18.8%

elections

president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election held on 10 May 2010; Benigno AQUINO declared winner and took office on 30 June 2010; next election to be held in May 2016

head of government

President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897 note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top

Government type

republic

Independence

12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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)

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 Nga Kinatawan; the House has 287 seats including 230 members in one tier representing districts and 57 sectoral party-list members in a second tier representing special minorities elected on the basis of one seat for every 2% of the total vote but are limited to three seats; a party represented in one tier may not hold seats in the other tier; all House members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms note: the constitution limits the House of Representatives to 250 members; the number of members allowed was increased, however, through legislation when in April 2009 the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that additional party members could sit in the House of Representatives if they received the required number of votes

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 4, LP 4, NP 4, NPC 2, PMP 2, LDP 1, PRP 1, independents 5; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 38.4%, LP 20.3%, NPC 15.4%, NP 11.5%, independents 7.1%, others 7.3%; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 104, LP 45, NPC 31, NP 26, others 17, independents 7, party-list 56

elections

Senate - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013); House of Representatives - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used

name

"Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)

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

Political parties and leaders

Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY]

Political pressure groups and leaders

ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray [Florencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Rafael MARIANO]; ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ernesto PABLO and Edgar VALDEZ]; A TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE, Carissa COSCOLLUELLA, and William TIENG]; BUTIL [Leonila CHAVEZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Jose PING-AY]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA and Luzviminda ILAGAN]; KABATAAN [Raymon PALATINO]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2009) 6% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.57% (31 December 2009 est.) 8.75% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$8.575 billion (2010 est.) $8.552 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$61.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $62.97 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.8 (2006) 46.6 (2003)

Economy - overview

Philippine GDP grew nearly 7% in 2010. The economy weathered the 2008-09 global recession better than its regional peers due to minimal exposure to securities issued by troubled global financial institutions; lower dependence on exports; relatively resilient domestic consumption, supported by large remittances from four-to five-million overseas Filipino workers; and a growing business process outsourcing industry. Economic growth in the Philippines has averaged 4.5% per year since 2001, when former President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office. Despite this growth, poverty worsened during the term of MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, because of a high population growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and, until recently, tightening expenditures to address the government's yawning budget deficit and to reduce high debt and debt service ratios. But the government abandoned its 2008 balanced-budget goal in order to help the economy weather the global financial and economic storm. The economy under AQUINO faces budget shortfalls in the near term, but has had little difficulty issuing debt both locally and internationally to finance the deficits. AQUINO's first budget emphasizes education and other social spending programs, relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects. Weak tax collection in recent years limits the government's ability to address major challenges.

Electricity - consumption

48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 45.459 (2010), 47.68 (2009), 44.439 (2008), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006)

Exports

$45.89 billion (2010 est.) $37.51 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits

Exports - partners

US 17.6%, Japan 16.2%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.6%, China 7.7%, Germany 6.5%, Singapore 6.2% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

13.7%

industry

31.7%

services

54.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,500 (2010 est.) $3,400 (2009 est.) $3,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.7% (2010 est.) 1.1% (2009 est.) 3.7% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$189.1 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$351.2 billion (2010 est.) $329.2 billion (2009 est.) $325.6 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.2% (2006)

Imports

$57.24 billion (2010 est.) $46.39 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic

Imports - partners

Japan 12.5%, US 12%, China 8.8%, Singapore 8.7%, South Korea 7.9% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

11.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.2% (2010 est.) 3.2% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

38.91 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

34%

industry

15%

services

51% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$80.13 billion (31 December 2009) $85.63 billion (31 December 2008) $172.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

313,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

25,290 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

138.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

32.9% (2006 est.)

Public debt

55.2% of GDP (2010 est.) 57.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$49.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$91.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $78.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.591 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.191 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$24.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $22.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$95.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $83.12 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$30.09 billion (31 December 2010 est) $24.06 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

7.5% (2010 est.) 7.5% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple national private TV and radio networks and a government-operated national TV and radio network; about 300 television stations and more than 1,000 radio stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems are available (2008)

Internet country code

.ph

Internet hosts

394,990 (2010)

Internet users

8.278 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

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

international

country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.1 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

74.489 million (2009)

Airports

254 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

85 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 29 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 10 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

169 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 66 under 914 m: 99 (2010)

Heliports

2 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 75, cargo 135, carrier 16, chemical tanker 26, container 13, liquefied gas 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 45, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 12, vehicle carrier 9

foreign-owned

156 (Bermuda 43, China 4, Greece 4, Japan 82, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 18, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)

registered in other countries

7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 6) (2010)

total

428

Pipelines

oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila

Railways

narrow gauge

897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2008)

total

897 km

Roadways

paved

21,677 km

total

201,910 km

unpaved

180,233 km (2008)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift

Waterways

3,219 km; (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 25,079,262 females age 16-49: 24,556,912 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 19,650,825 females age 16-49: 21,029,243 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

1,001,448 (2010 est.)

male

1,039,679

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force (2010)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2010)

Disputes - international

Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef (also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and 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

Illicit drugs

domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited page last updated on January 20, 2011 ======================================================================

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2007)