Philippines – country report

Data collected by Rosalia
Data updated：APRIL 6, 2010

【1】Introduction

• Background

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. 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 on-again/off-again peace talks with another.

【2】Geography

• Location

• Area－total：/land：/water：

• Climate

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

• Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

• Natural resources

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

• Land use－arable land：/permanent crops：/other：

• Total renewable water resources

479 cu km (1999)

• Fresh waterwithdrawal（domestic/industrial/agricultural）－total：/per capita：

• 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

【3】People

• Population

• Birth rate

• Urbanization

• Sex ratio－at birth：/under 15 years：/15-64 years：/65 years and over：/total population：

• Ethnic groups

• Religions

• Education expenditure

【4】Government

• Capital

• Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

• Executive branch

chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); Vice President (Manuel “Noli” DE CASTRO (since 10 May 2004); note – president is both chief of state and head of government

• Legislative branch

• 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

【5】Economy

• Economy-overview

Philippine GDP grew barely 1% in 2009 but 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 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 faces several long term challenges. The Philippines must maintain the reform momentum in order to catch up with regional competitors, boost trade, alleviate poverty, and improve employment opportunities and infrastructure. Inadequate tax revenues could limit the government’s ability to address these issues.

• GDP(purchasing power parity)

• GDP-per capita (PPP)

• GDP-composition by sector－agriculture：/industry：/service：

• Labor force

• Labor force-by occupation

• Unemployment rate

• Electricity-consumption

• Oil- consumption

• Natural gas- consumption

【6】Communication

• Internet users

Reference：http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipines
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html

04/24/2010 – 00:00