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Introduction - Philippines
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. The Philippine
Government faces threats from three terrorist groups on the US Government's
Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the
southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and
on-again/off-again peace talks with another.
Geography - Philippines
Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China
Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 300,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 72
land: 298,170 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
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
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
Current Weather
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May
to October)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 16.67%
other: 64.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
479 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%)
per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000)
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
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
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
Population:
99,900,177 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.9% (male 17,809,044/female 17,104,237)
15-64 years: 60.9% (male 30,384,504/female 30,410,691)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 1,808,966/female 2,382,735) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.7 years
male: 22.2 years
female: 23.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.931% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Birth rate:
25.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Death rate:
5.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Net migration rate:
-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Urbanization:
urban population: 65% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 19.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 102
male: 22.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.38 years
country comparison to the world: 133
male: 68.45 years
female: 74.45 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.23 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
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)
Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
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)
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)
Languages:
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major
dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray,
Pampango, and Pangasinan
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 92.5%
female: 92.7% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 158
Government - Philippines
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Manila
geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
80 provinces and 120 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,
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
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)
Independence:
12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
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
Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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
head of government: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of
Appointments
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
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
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%
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
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)
election results: (results of 2010 election not official); Senate - percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 4, LP 4, Nacionalista 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 including party-list - Lakas-Kampi
CMD 36.3%, LP 14.7%, NPC 10.7%, NP 9.1%, independents 2.4%, others 26.8%; seats
by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 105, LP 42, NPC 31, NP 25, others 20, independents 7,
party-list 57
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)
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]
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS
(observer), OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union
Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern
Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS Jr.
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399
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
Economy - Philippines
Economy - overview:
Philippine GDP grew just under 1% in 2009 but 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 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 faces several long
term challenges. The Philippines must maintain the reform momentum in order to
catch up with regional competitors, boost trade, alleviate poverty, and improve
employment opportunities and infrastructure. Inadequate tax revenues could limit
the government's ability to address these issues.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$324.8 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$321.9 billion (2008 est.)
$310.2 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$160.6 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.9% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
3.8% (2008 est.)
7.1% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,300 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$3,400 (2008 est.)
$3,300 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.9%
industry: 29.9%
services: 55.1% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
37.89 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 15%
services: 51% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
7.4% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line:
32.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 31.2% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.8 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 37
46.6 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Budget:
revenues: $23.56 billion
expenditures: $29.82 billion (2009 est.)
Public debt:
58.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
56.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
9.3% (2008 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 75
6% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.89% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 105
8.75% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$24.32 billion (30 November 2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
$22.53 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of quasi money:
$55.71 billion (30 November 2009)
country comparison to the world: 36
$65.85 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$81.96 billion (30 November 2009)
country comparison to the world: 46
$77.68 billion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$130.5 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
$85.63 billion (31 December 2008)
$172.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork,
eggs, beef; fish
Industries:
electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood
products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
-2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - production:
56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - consumption:
48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
25,290 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - consumption:
313,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - exports:
36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - imports:
342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - proved reserves:
138.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - production:
2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - consumption:
2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - proved reserves:
98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Current account balance:
$8.552 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$3.633 billion (2008)
Exports:
$37.51 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$48.25 billion (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper
products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
Exports - partners:
US 15.35%, Japan 14.19%, China 13.19%, Singapore 9.44%, Hong Kong 9%, South
Korea 5.12%, Germany 4.1% (2009)
Imports:
$46.39 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$61.14 billion (2008)
Imports - commodities:
electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and
steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic
Imports - partners:
Japan 15.32%, US 11.47%, Singapore 9.54%, China 8.93%, Taiwan 8.27% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$37.55 billion (31 December 2008)
Debt - external:
$53.14 billion (30 September 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$66.27 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$22.36 billion (31 October 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$20.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$6.192 billion (31 September 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$5.832 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 47.8 (2009), 44.439 (2008), 46.148
(2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005)
Communications - Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.905 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
Telephones - mobile cellular:
68.102 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable
services; domestic and interisland service adequate
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
international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide
connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international
gateways (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 383, FM 659, shortwave 4 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
297 (plus 873 CATV networks) (2008)
Internet country code:
.ph
Internet hosts:
283,607 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 55
Internet users:
5.618 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 42
Transportation - Philippines
Airports:
254 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 25
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 85
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 35
under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 169
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 66
under 914 m: 99 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 897 km
country comparison to the world: 95
narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 201,910 km
country comparison to the world: 25
paved: 21,677 km
unpaved: 180,233 km (2008)
Waterways:
3,219 km; (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
Merchant marine:
total: 391
country comparison to the world: 27
by type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 125, carrier 16, chemical tanker 17, container
6, liquefied gas 5, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 36,
refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 11
foreign-owned: 161 (Bermuda 34, China 4, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Japan 81,
Malaysia 1, Netherlands 23, Norway 10, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)
registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia
1, Panama 7) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila, Nasipit Harbor
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
Military - Philippines
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and
Coast Guard), Air Force (2010)
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 (2007)
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:
male: 1,039,679
female: 1,001,448 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Transnational Issues - Philippines
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf
groups) (2007)
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
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