Philippines

Philippines

Introduction

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 People’s Army insurgency also operates through much of the country.

Geography

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: 73 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

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

152,500 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

479 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 28.52cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%)
per capita:343cu 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
volcanism:the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity

Taal (elev. 311 m), 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), 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

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 and Society

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)

Languages

Filipino (official

based on Tagalog) and English (official)

eight major dialects – Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions

Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Population

101,833,938 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Age structure

0-14 years: 34.6% (male 17,999,279/female 17,285,040)
15-64 years:61.1% (male 31,103,967/female 31,097,203)
65 years and over:4.3% (male 1,876,805/female 2,471,644) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 22.9 years
male:22.4 years
female:23.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.903% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Birth rate

25.34 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Death rate

5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Net migration rate

-1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Urbanization

urban population: 49% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

MANILA (capital) 11.449 million

Davao 1.48 million

Cebu City 845,000

Zamboanga 827,000 (2009)

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 (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

94 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 76

Infant mortality rate

total: 19.34 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 100 male:21.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.66 years
country comparison to the world: 133 male:68.72 years
female:74.74 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.19 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Health expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 169

Physicians density

1.153 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 96

Hospital bed density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 169

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 93% of population
rural: 87% of population
total: 91% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7% of population
rural: 13% of population
total: 9% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 80% of population
rural: 69% of population
total: 76% of population
unimproved:
urban: 20% of population
rural: 31% of population
total: 24% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

8,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

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)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

4.3% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 62

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.7% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 32

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138

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:12 years
female:12 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 17.4%
country comparison to the world: 67 male:16.2%
female:19.3% (2009)

Government

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

mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

non-party state to the ICCt

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 with each party 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: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 – NA

seats by party – LP 119, Lakas-Kampi CMD 46, NPC 30, NP 22, others 10, independents 1, party-list 55

vacant seats – 1 district and 2 party-list

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]

Political pressure groups and leaders

ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]

AKBAYAN [Walden BELLO]

An Waray [Florencio NOEL]

Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]

ANAKPAWIS [Rafael MARIANO]

ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]

Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ponciano PAYUYO]

A TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]

BAGON HENERASYON [Bernadette HERRERA-DY]

Bayan Muna [Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]

Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]

BUHAY [Rene VELARDE]

BUTIL [Leonila CHAVEZ]

CIBAC [Cinchoa CRUZ-GONZALES]

COOP-NATCO [Jose PING-AY]

GABRIELA [Luzviminda ILAGAN]

KABATAAN [Raymon PALATINO]

Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]

YACAP [Carol LOPEZ]

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, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose L. CUISIA Jr.
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

National symbol(s)

Philippine eagle

National anthem

name: “Lupang Hinirang” (Chosen Land)
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

Economy

Economy – overview

Philippine GDP grew 7.3% in 2010, spurred by consumer demand, a rebound in exports and investments, and election-related spending. The economy weathered the 2008-09 global recession better than its regional peers due to minimal exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from four- to five-million overseas Filipino workers, and a growing business process outsourcing industry. Economic growth in the Philippines averaged 4.5% during the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO administration. Despite this growth, poverty worsened, because of a high population growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. The AQUINO administration is working to reduce the government deficit from 3.9% of GDP, when it took office, to 2% of GDP by 2013. The government has had little difficulty issuing debt both locally and internationally to finance the deficits. AQUINO’s first budget emphasizes education, health, conditional cash transfers for the poor, and other social spending programs, relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects. Weak tax collection, exacerbated by new tax breaks and incentives, has limited the government’s ability to address major challenges. The AQUINO administration has vowed to focus on improving tax collection efficiency – rather than imposing new taxes – as a part of its good governance platform.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$351.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 $327.4 billion (2009 est.)
$323.9 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$188.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

7.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31 1.1% (2009 est.)
3.7% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$3,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162 $3,300 (2009 est.)
$3,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 12.3%
industry:32.6%
services:55.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

38.9 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 33%
industry:15%
services:52% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76 7.5% (2009 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: 36 46.6 (2003)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115

Budget

revenues: $26.78 billion
expenditures:$33.75 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115

Public debt

52.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48 54.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124 4.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.8% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96 3.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.673% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122 8.566% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$29.08 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59 $24.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$97.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $83.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$98.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $85.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$202.3 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 36 $130.5 billion (31 December 2009)
$85.63 billion (31 December 2008)

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

23.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Electricity – production

59.19 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Electricity – consumption

54.4 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

33,110 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Oil – consumption

310,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Oil – exports

60,460 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76

Oil – imports

338,400 bbl/day (September 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

Oil – proved reserves

138.5 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas – production

3.15 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas – consumption

3.15 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas – proved reserves

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Current account balance

$9.51 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26 $9.358 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$50.68 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54 $37.61 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

China 19%, US 13.4%, Singapore 13.2%, Japan 12.8%, Hong Kong 7.6%, Germany 4.2%, South Korea 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$61.07 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42 $46.45 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

Japan 14.1%, China 13.6%, US 9.9%, Singapore 9.3%, Thailand 6.5%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$62.37 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28 $44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$61.42 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $62.62 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$25.27 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64 $23.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$6.582 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 $6.095 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar -
45.11 (2010)
47.68 (2009)
44.439 (2008)
46.148 (2007)
51.246 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

254 (2010)
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: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)

Pipelines

gas 7 km

oil 107 km

refined products 181 km (2010)

Railways

total: 995 km
country comparison to the world: 87 narrow gauge:995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2010)

Roadways

total: 213,151 km
country comparison to the world: 24 paved:54,481 km
unpaved:158,670 km (2009)

Waterways

3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 30

Merchant marine

total: 428
country comparison to the world: 24 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)

Ports and terminals

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

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

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force (2011)

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)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 25,614,135
females age 16-49:25,035,061 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 20,142,940
females age 16-49:21,427,792 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 1,060,319
female:1,021,069 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Transnational Issues

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