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
Peoples' Army insurgency also operates through much of the country.
Geography ::Philippines
Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the
South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 300,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 72
land: 298,170 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from
coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also
claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in
breadth
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest
monsoon (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 16.67%
other: 64.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
479 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%)
per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to
six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
volcanism: the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity;
Taal (elev. 311 m, 1,020 ft), 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, 8,077
ft), 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 ::Philippines
Population:
99,900,177 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376)
15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.7 years
male: 22.2 years
female: 23.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.931% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Birth rate:
25.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Death rate:
5.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Net migration rate:
-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Urbanization:
urban population: 65% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 19.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 101
male: 22.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.38 years
country comparison to the world: 131
male: 68.45 years
female: 74.45 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.23 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese
encephalitis
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%,
Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000
census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo
2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified
0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight
major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo,
Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 92.5%
female: 92.7% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 162
Government ::Philippines
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Manila
geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
80 provinces and 120 chartered cities
provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,
Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,
Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines
Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,
Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat
Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,
Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La
Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,
Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain
Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato,
Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga,
Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani,
Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat,
Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi,
Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,
Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,
Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan,
Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan,
Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan,
General Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,
Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,
Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,
Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,
Marikina, Masbate, Mati, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga,
Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan,
Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon,
Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos
(in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in
Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, Santa
Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban,
Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu),
Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac,
Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela,
Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009)
Independence:
12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from
the US)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of
declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of
independence from US
Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010); Vice
President Jejomar BINAY (since 30 June 2010); note - president is
both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of
Commission of Appointments
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets
by popular vote for a single six-year term; election held on 10 May
2010; Benigno AQUINO declared winner and took office on 30 June
2010; next election to be held in May 2016
election results: Benigno AQUINO elected president; percent of vote
- Benigno AQUINO 42.1%, Joseph ESTRADA 26.3%, seven others 31.6%;
Jejomar BINAY elected vice president; percent of vote Jejomar BINAY
41.6%, Manuel ROXAS 39.6%, six others 18.8%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24
seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large
by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan; the House has 287
seats including 230 members in one tier representing districts and
57 sectoral party-list members in a second tier representing special
minorities elected on the basis of one seat for every 2% of the
total vote but are limited to three seats; a party represented in
one tier may not hold seats in the other tier; all House members are
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms
note: the constitution limits the House of Representatives to 250
members; the number of members allowed was increased, however,
through legislation when in April 2009 the Philippine Supreme Court
ruled that additional party members could sit in the House of
Representatives if they received the required number of votes
elections: Senate - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be
held in May 2013); House of Representatives - elections last held on
10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013)
election results: 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 - Lakas-Kampi CMD 38.4%,
LP 20.3%, NPC 15.4%, NP 11.5%, independents 7.1%, others 7.3%; seats
by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 104, LP 45, NPC 31, NP 26, others 17,
independents 7, party-list 56
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70
years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for
hearing corruption cases of government officials)
Political parties and leaders:
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or
LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or
Lakas-CMD [Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel
ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist
People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino
PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa
ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph
ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray
[Florencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Rafael
MARIANO]; ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]; Association of Philippine
Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ernesto PABLO and Edgar VALDEZ]; A
TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO and Teodoro
CASINO, Jr.]; Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]; BUHAY [Rene
VELARDE, Carissa COSCOLLUELLA, and William TIENG]; BUTIL [Leonila
CHAVEZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Jose
PING-AY]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA and Luzviminda ILAGAN]; KABATAAN
[Raymon PALATINO]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ]
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, 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, UNMIS,
UNMIT, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York,
Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS Jr.
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white
equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the
triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner
of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue
stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white
equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first
eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars
represent the three major geographical divisions of the country:
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897
note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at
the top
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 ::Philippines
Economy - overview:
Philippine GDP grew nearly 7% in 2010. The economy weathered the
2008-09 global recession better than its regional peers due to
minimal exposure to securities issued by troubled global financial
institutions; lower dependence on exports; relatively resilient
domestic consumption, supported by large remittances from four-to
five-million overseas Filipino workers; and a growing business
process outsourcing industry. Economic growth in the Philippines has
averaged 4.5% per year since 2001, when former President
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office. Despite this growth, poverty worsened
during the term of MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, because of a high population
growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and,
until recently, tightening expenditures to address the government's
yawning budget deficit and to reduce high debt and debt service
ratios. But the government abandoned its 2008 balanced-budget goal
in order to help the economy weather the global financial and
economic storm. The economy under AQUINO faces budget shortfalls in
the near term, but has had little difficulty issuing debt both
locally and internationally to finance the deficits. AQUINO's first
budget emphasizes education and other social spending programs,
relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure
projects. Weak tax collection in recent years limits the
government's ability to address major challenges.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$351.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$329.2 billion (2009 est.)
$325.6 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$189.1 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
1.1% (2009 est.)
3.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$3,400 (2009 est.)
$3,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.7%
industry: 31.7%
services: 54.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
38.91 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 15%
services: 51% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
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: 37
46.6 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Public debt:
55.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
57.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
3.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 76
6% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.57% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
8.75% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$30.09 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 55
$24.06 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$91.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$78.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$95.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$83.12 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$80.13 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 41
$85.63 billion (31 December 2008)
$172.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples,
mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Industries:
electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining,
fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
11.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - production:
56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - consumption:
48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
25,290 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - consumption:
313,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - exports:
36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - imports:
342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Oil - proved reserves:
138.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - production:
2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - consumption:
2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - proved reserves:
98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Current account balance:
$8.575 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$8.552 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$45.89 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$37.51 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment,
garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
Exports - partners:
US 17.6%, Japan 16.2%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.6%, China 7.7%,
Germany 6.5%, Singapore 6.2% (2009)
Imports:
$57.24 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$46.39 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport
equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals,
plastic
Imports - partners:
Japan 12.5%, US 12%, China 8.8%, Singapore 8.7%, South Korea 7.9%
(2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$49.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$61.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$62.97 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$24.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$22.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$6.591 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$6.191 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 45.459 (2010), 47.68 (2009),
44.439 (2008), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006)
Communications ::Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.1 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 37
Telephones - mobile cellular:
74.489 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 15
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine
cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations;
mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined
fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per
100 persons
international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables
together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and
Europe; multiple international gateways (2009)
Broadcast media:
multiple national private TV and radio networks and a
government-operated national TV and radio network; about 300
television stations and more than 1,000 radio stations;
multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems are available (2008)