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 kmcountry comparison to the world: 73
land:298,170 sq km
water:1,830 sq km


Area - comparative:
Area comparison map: '>


Land boundaries:
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:18%
permanent crops:17.33%
other:64.67% (2011)


Irrigated land:
18,790 sq km (2006)


Total renewable water resources:
479 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
479 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each 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 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:
107,668,231 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 13


Age structure:
0-14 years:33.7% (male 18,493,668/female 17,753,359)
15-24 years:19% (male 10,416,358/female 10,044,724)
25-54 years:37% (male 20,031,638/female 19,796,545)
55-64 years:5.8% (male 2,882,719/female 3,372,485)
65 years and over:4.4% (male 2,103,596/female 2,773,139) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:60.7 %
youth dependency ratio:54.3 %
elderly dependency ratio:6.4 %
potential support ratio:15.6 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:23.5 years
male:23 years
female:24 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.81% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 67


Birth rate:
24.24 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 61


Death rate:
4.92 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 192


Net migration rate:
-1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 155


Urbanization:
urban population:48.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.16% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
MANILA (capital) 11.862 million; Davao 1.565 million; Cebu City 855,000; Zamboanga 884,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.76 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
23.1


Maternal mortality rate:
99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:17.64 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 99
male:19.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female:15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:72.48 yearscountry comparison to the world: 134
male:69.52 years
female:75.59 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
3.06 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 53


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
48.9% (2011)


Health expenditures:
4.1% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.15 physicians/1,000 population (2004)


Hospital bed density:
1 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 92.5% of population
rural: 91.2% of population
total: 91.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7.5% of population
rural: 8.8% of population
total: 8.2% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 79.4% of population
rural: 69.4% of population
total: 74.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 20.6% of population
rural: 30.6% of population
total: 25.7% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 167


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
14,800 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 91


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
300 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 106


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
6.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 148


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
20.2% (2011)country comparison to the world: 31


Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 149

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:95.4%
male:95%
female:95.8% (2008 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:11 years
male:11 years
female:12 years (2009)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:16.3%country comparison to the world: 79
male:15.2%
female:18.3% (2011)


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 36 N, 120 58 E
time difference:UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
80 provinces and 39 chartered cities


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 the US


Constitution:
several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 (2013)


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


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


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
elections:president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10 May 2010 (next 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 (287 seats - 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 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016); House of Representatives - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016)
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party for 2013 election - UNA 26.94%, NP 15.3%, LP 11.32%, NPC 10.15%, LDP 5.38%, PDP-Laban 4.95%, others 9.72%, independents 16.24%; seats by party after 2013 election - UNA 5, NP 5, LP 4, Lakas 2, NPC 2, LDP 1, PDP-Laban 1, PRP 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 38.3%, NPC 17.4%, UNA 11.4%, NUP 8.7%, NP 8.5%, Lakas 5.3%, independents 6.0%, others 4.4%; seats by party - LP 110, NPC 43, NUP 24, NP 17, Lakas 14, UNA 8, independents 6, others 12; party-list 57


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices)
judge selection and term of office:justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally-created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70
subordinate courts:Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts


    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 [Manuel 'Mar' ROXAS]
Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]
Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel 'Manny' 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]
note:United Nationalist Alliance or [UNA] - PDP-Laban and PMP coalition for the 2013 election


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]


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


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Jose L. CUISIA Jr. (since 7 April 2011)
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, Tamuning (Guam)


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 21 November 2013)
embassy:1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000
mailing address:PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone:[63] (2) 301-2000
FAX:[63] (2) 301-2017


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


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:
The economy has weathered global economic and financial downturns 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 rapidly expanding business process outsourcing industry. The current account balance had recorded consecutive surpluses since 2003; international reserves are at record highs; the banking system is stable; and the stock market was Asia's second best-performer in 2012. Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditure management have helped ease the Philippines' tight fiscal situation and reduce high debt levels. The Philippines has received several credit rating upgrades on its sovereign debt, and has had little difficulty tapping domestic and international markets to finance its deficits. Economic growth in the Philippines averaged 4.5% during the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO administration, but poverty worsened during her term. Growth has accelerated under the AQUINO government, but with limited progress thus far in bringing down unemployment, which hovers around 7%, and improving the quality of jobs. Underemployment is nearly 20% and more than 40% of the employed are estimated to be working in the informal sector. The AQUINO administration has been working to boost the budgets for education, health, cash transfers to the poor, and other social spending programs, and is relying on the private sector to help fund major infrastructure projects under its Public-Private Partnership program. Long term challenges include reforming governance and the judicial system, building infrastructure, improving regulatory predictability, and the ease of doing business, attracting higher levels of local and foreign investments. The Philippine Constitution and the other laws continue to restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors (such as land ownership and public utilities).


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$454.3 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$425.3 billion (2012 est.)
$398.2 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$272.2 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
6.8% (2012 est.)
3.6% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,700 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
$4,400 (2012 est.)
$4,200 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
22.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
21.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
23.6% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:72.6%
government consumption:11.5%
investment in fixed capital:20.2%
investment in inventories:-0.2%
exports of goods and services:28.3%
imports of goods and services:-32.4%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:11.2%
industry:31.6%
services:57.2% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish


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


Industrial production growth rate:
9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Labor force:
41.33 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:32%
industry:15%
services:53% (2012 est.)


Unemployment rate:
7.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
7% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
26.5% (2009 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.6%
highest 10%:33.6% (2009 est.)


    Distribution of family income - Gini index:
44.8 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
46.6 (2003)


Budget:
revenues:$38.88 billion
expenditures:$43.89 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
14.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81


Public debt:
50.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
51.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:data cover debt issued by the national government, and excludes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by social security institutions, government-owned and controlled corporations, the Central Bank, and local government units


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
3.2% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
5.3% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
5.6% (31 December 2011 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.8% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
5.68% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$43.67 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$39.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$137.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$121.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$150.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$129.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$266.3 billion (31 December 2012)


Current account balance:
$7.512 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$7.126 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$47.45 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$46.28 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits


Exports - partners:
Japan 19%, US 14.2%, China 11.8%, Singapore 9.3%, Hong Kong 9.2%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 4.7% (2012)


Imports:
$63.91 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$61.49 billion (2012 est.)


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


Imports - partners:
US 11.5%, China 10.8%, Japan 10.4%, South Korea 7.3%, Singapore 7.1%, Thailand 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%, Indonesia 4.4%, Malaysia 4% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$85.04 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$83.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$72.81 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$NA (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$33.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$30.38 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$9.435 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$8.435 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar -
42.69 (2013 est.)
42.229 (2012 est.)
45.11 (2010 est.)
47.68 (2009)
44.439 (2008)


Energy


Electricity - production:
67.45 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Electricity - consumption:
56.84 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
16.36 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
66.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
20.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
12.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22


Crude oil - production:
25,240 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73


Crude oil - exports:
20,090 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55


Crude oil - imports:
182,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
138.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67


Refined petroleum products - production:
181,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
315,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Refined petroleum products - exports:
17,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73


Refined petroleum products - imports:
147,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39


Natural gas - production:
3.91 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54


Natural gas - consumption:
2.86 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120


Natural gas - proved reserves:
98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
81.15 million Mt (2011 est.)



Communications


Telephones - main lines in use:
3.939 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 43


Telephones - mobile cellular:
103 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 12


Telephone system:
general assessment:good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic:telecommunications infrastructure includes the following platforms: fixed-line, mobile cellular, cable TV, over-the-air TV, radio and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), fiber-optic cable, and satellite; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry
international:country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2011)



    Broadcast media:
multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 350 TV stations - 4 major TV networks operating nationwide with 1 being government-owned; some 1100 cable TV providers and some 1,200 radio stations broadcasting; the Philippines is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2015 (2012)


Internet country code:
.ph


Internet hosts:
425,812 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 52


Internet users:
8.278 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34



Transportation


Airports
247 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 24


Airports - with paved runways
total:89
over 3,047 m:4
2,438 to 3,047 m:8
1,524 to 2,437 m:33
914 to 1,523 m:34
under 914 m:10 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:158
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:56
under 914 m:
99 (2013)


Heliports
2 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 567 km; oil 138 km; refined products 185 km (2013)


Railways
total:995 kmcountry comparison to the world: 88
narrow gauge:995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2010)


Roadways
total:213,151 kmcountry comparison to the world: 23
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: 31


Merchant marine
total:446country comparison to the world: 23
by type:bulk carrier 76, cargo 152, carrier 12, chemical tanker 27, container 17, liquefied gas 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum tanker 44, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 10
foreign-owned:159 (Bermuda 47, China 4, Denmark 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Japan 77, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 17, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)
registered in other countries:7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 5, unknown 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila
container port(s) (TEUs):Manila (3,342,200)


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), Air Force (2013)


Military service age and obligation
17-23 years of age (officers 20-24) for voluntary military service; no conscription; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens with either 72 college credit hours (enlisted) or a baccalaureate degree (officers) (2013)


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
1.19% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 86
1.21% of GDP (2011)
1.19% of GDP (2010)


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:at least 133,000 displaced by conflict and at least 7 million displaced by natural disasters (government troops fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the New People's Army; clan feuds; natural disasters including typhoon Bopha (December 2012), the Bohol earthquake (October 2013), and typhoon Haiyan (November 2013)) (2014)
stateless persons:at least 115,772 (2014)



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
Information provided by CIA - The World Fact Book


Doing Business in Philippines 2020


Philippines Ease of Doing Business Rank: 95 Overall Score: 62.8
Starting a Business (rank) 171
Score 71.3
Procedures - Men (number) 13
Time - Men (number) 33
Cost - Men (days) 23.3
Procedures - Women (days) 13
Time - Women (% of income per capita) 33
Cost - Women (% of income per capita) 23.3
Paid in minimum capital (% of income per capita) 0
Dealing with Construction Permits (rank) 85
Score 70
Procedures (number) 22
Time (days) 120
Cost (% of warehouse value) 2.3
Building Quality Control Index(0-15) 13
Quality of building regulations index (0-2) 2
Quality control before construction index (0-1) 1
Quality control during construction index (0-3) 2
Quality control after construction index (0-3) 3
Liability and insurance regimes index (0-2) 2
Professional certifications index (0-4) 3
Getting Electricity (rank) 32
Score 87.4
Procedures (number) 4
Time (days) 37
Cost (% of income per capita) 24.3
Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index (0-8) 6
Total duration and frequency of outages per customer a year (0-3) 2
Mechanisms for monitoring outages (0-1) 1
Mechanisms for restoring service (0-1) 1
Regulatory monitoring (0-1) 1
Financial deterrents aimed at limiting outages (0-1) 1
Communication of tariffs and tariff changes (0-1) 0
System average interruption duration index (SAIDI) 3.6
System average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) 2.2
Minimum outage time (in minutes) 5
Price of electricity (US cents per kWh) 18.1
Registering Property (rank) 120
Score 57.6
Procedures (number) 9
Time (days) 35
Cost (% of property value) 4.3
Quality of land administration index (0-30) 12.5
Reliability of infrastructure index (0-8) 2
Transparency of information index (0-6) 3
Geographic coverage index (0-8) 4
Land dispute resolution index (0-8) 4.5
Equal access to property rights index (-2-0) -1
Getting credit (rank) 132
Score 40
Strength of legal rights index (0-12) 1
Depth of credit information index (0-8) 7
Getting Credit total score 8
Credit registry coverage (% of adults) 0
Credit bureau coverage (% of adults) 13.5
Protecting Minority Investors (rank) 72
Score 60
Extent of disclosure index (0-10) 9
Extent of director liability index (0-10) 4
Ease of shareholder suits index (0-10) 7
Extent of shareholder rights index (0-6) 1
Extent of ownership and control index (0-7) 5
Extent of corporate transparency index (0-7) 4
Strength of minority investor protection index (0-50) 30
Paying Taxes (rank) 95
Score 72.6
Payments (number per year) 13
Time (hours per year) 171
Total tax and contribution rate (% of profit) 43.1
Profit tax (% of profit) 20.2
Labor tax and contributions (% of profit) 8.9
Other taxes (% of profit) 14
Time to comply with VAT refund (hours) No VAT refund
Time to obtain VAT refund (weeks) No VAT refund
Time to comply with a corporate income tax correction (hours) 2
Time to complete a corporate income tax correction (weeks) 0
Postfiling index (0-100) 50
Trading across borders (rank) 113
Score 68.4
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) 36
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) 96
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) 43
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) 120
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (USD) 53
Cost to import: Documentary compliance 68
Cost to export: Border compliance (USD) 456
Cost to import: Border compliance (USD) 690
Enforcing contract (rank) 152
Score 46
Time (days) 962
Filing and service (days) 58
Trial and judgment (days) 700
Enforcement of judgment (days) 204
Cost (% of claim) 31
Attorney fees (% of claim) 20
Court fees (% of claim) 6
Enforcement fees (% of claim) 5
Quality of the judicial processes index (0-18) 7.5
Court structure and proceedings (0-5) 3.5
Case management (0-6) 1.5
Court automation (0-4) 0
Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) 2.5
Resolving Insolvency (rank) 65
Score 55.1
Outcome (0 as piecemeal sale and 1 as going concern) 0
Time (years) 2.7
Cost (% of estate) 32
Recovery rate (cents on the dollar) 21.1
Strength of insolvency framework index (0-16) 14
Commencement of proceedings index (0-3) 2.5
Management of debtor's assets index (0-6) 5.5
Reorganization proceedings index (0-3) 3
Creditor participation index (0-4) 3
Information provided by The World Bank Group

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