Philippines travel guides

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Travel Weather: Philippines

Best time is from the middle of December to the middle of May.

Introduction

General Information: Philippines

The capital of Philippines is Manila.

Major cities of Philippines are:
Bacolod, Basco, Boracay, Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Cotabato, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Ipil, Laoag, Legaspi, Manila, Masbate, Naga, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga.

Geography

Location:	Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Coordinates:	13 00 N, 122 00 E
Area:	total: 300,000 sq km 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: 18.95% permanent crops: 16.77% other: 64.28% (2001)
Irrigated Land:	15,500 sq km (1998 est.)
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
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
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

Population:	86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)
Age Structure:	total: 22.1 years male: 21.6 years female: 22.6 years (2004 est.)
Population Growth Rate:	1.88% (2004 est.)
Birth Rate:	25.8 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death Rate:	5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Migration Rate:	-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex Ratio:	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate:	total: 24.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Expectancy Birth:	total population: 69.6 years male: 66.74 years female: 72.61 years (2004 est.)
Fertility Rate:	3.22 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV Adult Prevalence Rate:	less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
People Living HIV:	9,000 (2003 est.)
HIV Deaths:	less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:	noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine
Ethnic Groups:	Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions:	Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages:	two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Literacy:	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 92.5% female: 92.7% (2002)

Gouvernment

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:	Manila
Administrative Divisions:	79 provinces and 116 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, 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, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, 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, Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, 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 Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga
Independence:	12 June 1898 (from Spain)
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 Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president (Manuel ''Noli'' DE CASTRO) elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%
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 Mga Kinatawan (212 members representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; 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 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP 13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas 7, LP 3, KNP 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected Vice President; 14 senators are pro-government, 9 are in opposition; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11, others 20; party-listers 24; note - there are 211 rather than 212 sitting representatives because one was appointed Secretary of Tourism (2004)
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 Leaders:	Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, chairperson]; Liberal Party or LP [Franklin DRILON, president; Jose ATIENZA, JR., chairman]; National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN, president]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, president]; Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA, president; Juan Ponce ENRILE, chairman]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR, president]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO, president}
Political Pressure Groups Leaders:	AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; Bayan Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep. Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA [Rep. Liza MAZA}; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)
International Organization Participation:	APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic in US:	chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam) consulate(s): honorary consuls in Ft. Lauderdale and Houston
Diplomatic from US:	chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 523-6300 FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361
Flag Description:	two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star

Economy

Economy Overview:	The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annual remittances of $6-7 billion from overseas workers. 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. GDP growth accelerated to 4.4% in 2002 and 4.2% in 2003, reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, gains in industrial output, and improved exports. Nonetheless, it will take a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in poverty alleviation given the Philippines' high annual population growth rate and unequal distribution of income. The MACAPAGAL-ARROYO Administration has promised to continue economic reforms to help the Philippines match the pace of development in the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving the infrastructure, strengthening tax collection to bolster government revenues, furthering deregulation and privatization of the economy, enhancing the viability of the financial system, and increasing trade integration with the region. Prospects for 2004 will depend on the economic performance of two major trading partners, the US and Japan, and on increased confidence on the part of the international investment community.
GDP:	purchasing power parity - $390.7 billion (2003 est.)
GDP Growth Rate:	4.5% (2003 est.)
GDP Capital:	purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2003 est.)
GDP Composition:	agriculture: 14.5% industry: 32.3% services: 53.2% (2003 est.)
Investment:	18.1% of GDP (2003)
Population Below Poverty Line:	40% (2001 est.)
Household Income:	lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 38.4% (2000)
Gini Index:	48.1 (2000)
Inflation Rate:	3.1% (2003 est.)
Labor Force:	34.56 million (2003)
Labor Force Occupation:	agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)
Unemployment Rate:	11.4% (2003)
Budget:	revenues: $11.56 billion expenditures: $15.25 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.4 million NA (2003)
Public Debt:	77% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture Products:	rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, fish
Industries:	electronics assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
Industry Production Growth Rate:	-0.1% (2003 est.)
Electricity Production:	45.21 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity Consumption:	42.04 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity Exports:	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity Imports:	0 kWh (2001)
Oil Production:	8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil Consumption:	343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil Exports:	NA (2001)
Oil Imports:	NA (2001)
Oil Proved Reserves:	164 million bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural Gas Production:	10 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption:	10 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural Gas Exports:	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural Gas Imports:	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural Gas Proved Reserves:	104.6 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current Account Balance:	$3.349 billion (2003)
Exports:	$34.56 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports Commodities:	electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut products, chemicals
Exports Partners:	US 20.1%, Japan 15.9%, Hong Kong 8.5%, Netherlands 8.1%, Taiwan 6.9%, Malaysia 6.8%, Singapore 6.7%, China 5.9% (2003)
Imports:	$35.97 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports Commodities:	raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports Partners:	Japan 20.4%, US 19.8%, Singapore 6.8%, South Korea 6.4%, Taiwan 5%, China 4.8%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2003)
Reserves:	$16.87 billion (2003)
Debt External:	$57.96 billion (2003)
Currency:	Philippine peso (PHP)
Currency Code:	PHP
Exchange Rates:	Philippine pesos per US dollar - 54.2033 (2003), 51.6036 (2002), 50.9926 (2001), 44.1922 (2000), 39.089 (1999)
Fiscal Year:	calendar year

Communications

Telephones Lines Use:	3,310,900 (2002)
Mobile Cellular:	15.201 million (2002)
Telephone System:	general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: country code - 63; 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan
Radio Stations:	AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2004)
Television Stations:	225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)
Internet Code:	.ph
Internet Hosts:	38,440 (2002)
Internet Users:	3.5 million (2002)

Military

Military Branches:	Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force
Military Age Obligation:	18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Military Availability:	males age 15-49: 22,435,982 (2004 est.)
Fit Military Service:	males age 15-49: 15,780,602 (2004 est.)
Reaching Military Age Annually:	males: 851,009 (2004 est.)
Military Expenditures Dollar Figure:	$995 million (FY98)
Military Expenditures Percent GDP:	1.5% (FY98)

Transnational Issues

Disputes International: Philippines

involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, the 2002 ''Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,'' has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding ''code of conduct'' desired by several of the disputants; 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

Illicit Drugs:

exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine; domestic methamphetamine production is a growing problem; remains on Financial Action Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime

Philippines - Travel Guides by Cities

A B C D E G I K L M N O P Q R S T Z

A

Agoo
Angeles City
Antipolo

B

Bacarra
Bacolod
Bacolod City
Baganga
Baguio
Baler
Banaue
Basco
Batangas
Batangas City
Binan
Bislig
Busuanga
Butuan City

C

Cagayan
Cagayan De Oro
Cainta
Calamba
Calapan
Calbayog
Caloocan
Caloocan City
Camiling
Casiguran
Catarman
Caticlan
Cauayan
Cavite
Cavite City
Cebu
Cebu City
Coron
Cotabato

Culion
Cuyo

D

Daet
Dagupan City
Dapitan
Davao
Dilasag
Dipolog
Dumaguete
Dumaguete City

E

El Nido

G

General Santos

I

Iligan
Iloilo
Iloilo City
Ipil

K

Kalibo

L

Laguna
Laoag
Las Pinas
Legaspi
Legazpi
Lipa City

M

Makati
Malabang
Malabon
Mamburao
Mandaluyong
Manila
Maramag
Marikina
Masbate
Mati
Muntinlupa

N

Naga
Naga City

Nasugbu

O

Olongapo
Ormoc
Ozamis City

P

Pagadian
Panglao
Pasay
Pasig
Pateros
Puerto Princesa

Q

Quezon
Quezon City

R

Roxas

S

San Fernando
San Jose
San Juan
San Pablo
San Pedro
Santo Tomas
Siasi
Siocon
Sorsogon
Surigao

T

Tacloban City
Tagaytay
Tagaytay City
Tagbilaran
Taguig
Tandag
Tarlac
Tawitawi
Taytay
Ternate
Tuguegarao City

Z

Zamboanga
Zamboanga City

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Philippines - General Country Information