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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.ph

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

271,609 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

4.615 million (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 375, FM 596, shortwave 4 (each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience) (2006)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellular communications now dominate the industry with roughly 10 mobile cellular subscribers for every fixed-line subscriber international: country code - 63; 11 international gateways; submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, and Malaysia among others (2006)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

3.633 million (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

42.869 million (2006)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

233 (plus 1,480 CATV networks) (2006)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $19.07 billion expenditures: $20.29 billion (2006 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Philippine peso (PHP)

Current account balance [time series]

$5.022 billion (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$62.44 billion (2006 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

44.5 (2003)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

ODA, $561.8 million in commitments (2005)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by its high level of annual remittances from overseas workers, no sustained runup in asset prices, and more moderate debt, prior to the crisis. From a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic slowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. Average GDP growth accelerated to about 5% between 2002 and 2006 reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and improved exports and agricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in the alleviation of poverty given the Philippines' high annual population growth rate and unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also faces higher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar borrowings, and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's ability to finance infrastructure and social spending. The Philippines' consistently large budget deficit has produced a high debt level, and this situation has forced Manila to spend a large portion of the national government budget on debt service. Large unprofitable public enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute to the government's debt because of slow progress on privatization. Credit rating agencies have at times expressed concern about the Philippines' ability to service the debt, though central bank reserves appear adequate and large remittance inflows appear stable. The implementation of the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2005 boosted confidence in the government's fiscal capacity and helped to strengthen the peso, making it East Asia's best performing currency in 2005-06. Investors and credit rating institutions will continue to look for effective implementation of the new VAT and continued improvement in the government's overall fiscal capacity in the coming year.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

46.86 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - production [time series]

53.67 billion kWh (2005)

Exchange rates [time series]

Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004), 54.203 (2003), 51.604 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$46.16 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 18.3%, Japan 16.5%, Netherlands 10.1%, China 9.8%, Hong Kong 7.8%, Singapore 7.3%, Malaysia 5.6%, Taiwan 4.3% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$116.9 billion (2006 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$449.8 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 14.1% industry: 31.6% services: 54.2% (2006 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$5,000 (2006 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.4% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 34.2% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$53.11 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

US 16.3%, Japan 13.6%, Singapore 8.5%, Taiwan 8%, China 7.1%, South Korea 6.2%, Saudi Arabia 5.8%, Malaysia 4.1%, Thailand 4.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.8% (2006 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.3% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

13.8% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

35.79 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 36% industry: 15% services: 49% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$68.38 billion (2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

2.781 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2005)

Natural gas - production [time series]

2.781 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

107.5 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

342,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

34,900 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports [time series]

353,700 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - production [time series]

25,320 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

152 million bbl (31 December 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

40% (2001 est.)

Public debt [time series]

63.8% of GDP (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$22.97 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$2.189 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$16.37 billion (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.9% (2006 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Arizona

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

36,289 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

15,500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

81 provinces and 136 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, Shariff Kabunsuan, 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, Baybay, Bayugan, Bislig, Bogo, Borongan, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Carcar, Catbalogan, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, El Salvador, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Guihulngan, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Lamitan, 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 (Camarines Sur), Naga (Cebu), 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, Tabuk, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tandag, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Tayabas, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2007)

Capital [time series]

name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000 FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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, San Francisco, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO) elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (as a result of May 2007 election it has 237 seats including 218 members representing districts and 19 sectoral party-list members representing special minorities elected on the basis of 1 seat for every 2% of the total vote but limited to 3 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nacionalista 4, LP 4, Lakas 3, GO 3, independent 1, others 8; 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 - Lakas 86, Kampi 41, NPC 27, LP 21, others 62

National holiday [time series]

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 (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Genuine Opposition or GO (coalition of oppositon parties formed to contest the 2007 elections); Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi [Ronaldo PUNO]; Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS/Eli QUINTO]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA]; Pwersa Ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

AKBAYAN [Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ALAGAD [Rodante MARROLITA]; ALIF [Acmad TOMAWIS]; An Waray [Horencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; APEC [Ernesto PABLO, Edgar VALDEZ]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; AVE [Eulogio MAGSAYSAY]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Guillermo CUA]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA]; Partido Ng Manggagawa [Renato MAGTUBO]; Veterans Federation of the Philippines [Ernesto GIDAYA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. The 20-year rule of 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, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and 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, but in 2006 and 2007 scored some major successes in capturing or killing key wanted terrorists. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and an ongoing cease-fire and peace talks with another.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 20,131,179 females age 18-49: 20,009,526 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 15,170,096 females age 18-49: 16,931,191 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 907,542 females age 18-49: 878,712 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Philippine Air Force (Hukbomg Himpapawid ng Pilipinas) (2006)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.9% (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2007)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 34.5% (male 16,043,257/female 15,415,334) 15-64 years: 61.3% (male 27,849,584/female 28,008,293) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,631,866/female 2,128,953) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

24.48 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 [time series]

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

9,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 22.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

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 [time series]

total population: 70.51 years male: 67.61 years female: 73.55 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 92.5% female: 92.7% (2000 census)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations animal contact disease: rabies (2007)

Median age [time series]

total: 22.7 years male: 22.2 years female: 23.3 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

91,077,287 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.764% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

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)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.041 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.994 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.767 male(s)/female total population: 0.999 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.05 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

255 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 84 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 10 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 171 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 99 (2007)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 383 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,542,681 GRT/6,164,312 DWT by type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 120, chemical tanker 16, container 5, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 16, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 66, petroleum tanker 34, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 12 foreign-owned: 135 (Bermuda 31, China 2, Greece 3, Hong Kong 2, Japan 69, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 22, Norway 2, Singapore 1, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 34 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Hong Kong 10, Indonesia 1, Panama 12, Singapore 4, St Vincent and The Grenadines 1) (2007)

Pipelines [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 200,037 km paved: 19,804 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2003)

Waterways [time series]

3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2007)