2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 36.2% (male 15,625,480; female 15,028,498) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 25,206,467; female 25,485,482) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,427,238; female 1,846,809) (2003 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 Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim insurgencies in the south. Geography Philippines

Birth rate

26.3 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

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

Death rate

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Apo 2,954 m

lowest point

Philippine Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Ethnic groups

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

Executive branch

chief of state

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

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Geography - note

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% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

720 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,400 (2001 est.)

Independence

12 June 1898 (from Spain)

Infant mortality rate

female

21.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

27.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

24.98 deaths/1,000 live births

Irrigated land

15,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

18.45%

other

66.79% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

14.76%

Languages

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

Legal system

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

72.28 years (2003 est.)

male

66.44 years

total population

69.29 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.8% (2003 est.) Government Philippines

male

96%

total population

95.9%

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

Median age

female

22.4 years (2002)

male

21.3 years

total

21.8 years

National holiday

Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the 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

-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population

84,619,974 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate

1.92% (2003 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2003 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

3.29 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

257 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 34

total

82

under 914 m

13 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

175 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 71

under 914 m

99 (2002)

Budget

expenditures

$15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

revenues

$10.9 billion

Currency

Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code

PHP

Debt - external

$60.3 billion (2002)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE

embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila

mailing address

PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone

[63] (2) 523-1001

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO

consulate(s)

San Diego

consulate(s) general

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

Disputes - international

involved in complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; Sultanate of Sulu granted Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue its sovereignty claim over Malaysia's Sabah State but Malaysia rejects claim

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.2 (1997)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $1.1 billion (1998)

Economy - overview

In 1998, the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but recovered to about 3.3% in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, and 4.5% in 2001. In 2002, the Philippines recorded GDP growth of 4.4% but also incurred a record budget deficit. As a result, the Philippines is burdened with a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP. Growth eased to 3.8% in 2003. The government has promised economic reforms including going forward with privatization, reforming the tax system, and promoting additional trade integration within its region. Considerable drive is required to update the educational system and the road network.

Electricity - consumption

42.04 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

45.21 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

55.6%

hydro

17.5%

nuclear

0%

other

26.9% (2001)

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.67 (2002), 50.99 (2001), 44.19 (2000), 39.09 (1999), 40.89 (1998)

Exports

$35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut products, chemicals

Exports - partners

US 26.2%, Japan 14.9%, China 7.4%, Taiwan 5.8%, Singapore 5.7%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Malaysia 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.6%, South Korea 4.3% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 328-7614

[63] (2) 522-4361

chancery

1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone

[1] (202) 467-9300

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Philippines

Flag description

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

GDP

purchasing power parity - $379.7 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

15%

industry

31%

services

54% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.4% (2002 est.)

Heliports

2 (2002) Military Philippines

Highways

paved

42,419 km

total

201,994 km

unpaved

159,575 km (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

39.3% (1998)

lowest 10%

1.5%

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 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$33.5 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners

Japan 21.6%, US 18.6%, Singapore 7.8%, South Korea 7.5%, China 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2000 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.1% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, 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, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.ph

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

33 (2000)

Internet users

4.5 million (2002) Transportation Philippines

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age)

Labor force

33.7 million (2002)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51, LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26

elections

Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May 2004)

Merchant marine

convenience

Australia 2, Canada 1, Germany 3, Greece 8, Hong Kong 13, Japan 47, Malaysia 19, Netherlands 14, Norway 8, Panama 3, Singapore 12, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, UK 7 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

bulk 111, cargo 105, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 8, container 8, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 9, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 16, short-sea passenger 27, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18

total

393 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,664,718 GRT/6,699,666 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force, paramilitary units

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$995 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.5% (FY98) Transnational Issues Philippines

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

21,923,324 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

15,428,043 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

846,994 (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

104.6 billion cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption

343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

164 million bbl (37257)

Pipelines

gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president, Agapito AQUINO, secretary general]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD, president; Franklin DRILON, chairman]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN, president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president]; PMP [Horacio MORALES, president]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population below poverty line

40% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5

note

each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2002)

Radios

11.5 million (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation) (2002)

total

897 km

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

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

6.98 million (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular

11.35 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations

75 (2000)

Televisions

3.7 million (1997)

Unemployment rate

10.2% (2002)

Waterways

3,219 km

note

limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m