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Location & Geography
The Philippines is strategically situated in the Asia Pacific, one of the
fastest-growing regions in the world today. From its location in the southeastern
coast of the Asian mainland, one can reach within two to four hours' flight
the following current and emerging economic dragons: China, Japan, South
Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The
figure shows flying times from Manila to major Asian cities.
This archipelago of 7,100 islands is divided into three major islands groups:
Luzon in the north, Visayas in the middle, and Mindanao farther down in the
south. Administrative, the country is classified into 16 regions which represent
groups of provinces. Within the provinces are cities, municipalities, and
barangays (the smallest local government grouping). Republic Act No.
7901 created the 16th region in February 1995. The CARAGA region comprises
the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and
Surigao del Sur and the cities of Butuan and Surigao.
The Philippines has a land area of about 300,000 sq. km. and a coastline
of 18,411 kilometers of which there are 60 natural harbors. Its climate is
generally tropical, with distinct seasons ranging from dry (between November
and May) to wet (rainy) (usually from June to October). Average rainfall
in the Philippines is about 2,030 millimeters and temperatures range from
24oC to 31oC.
Population
The Philippines represents a market of approximately
74 million
people, a population which grows at an average rate of 2.32% a year.
Population density is about 239.66 persons per square kilometers. The urban
population is estimated at 45%. It is a young population; 50% of the population
are below 22 years old. It also represents a labor force of about 26 million,
the number of Filipinos of working age (between 15 and 64 years). The middle
class constitutes 25% of the population and is expected to grow with increased
opportunities.
The Country is the most highly educated population in the Southeast Asia,
with a literacy rate of 94%. Education is considered a prime leverage for
upward social mobility, and its pursuit is therefore a priority among the
people. Its school systems have about 18 million students enrolled in 1994,
65.2% of which are in the elementary level, 25.2% in the secondary level,
and 9.6% in the tertiary (college) level.
Government and Political System
The Republic of the Philippines is a constitutional democracy, with the President
as head of state. The national government has three coequal branches which
exercise a system of checks and balances: executive, legislative and
judicial.
The executive branch consists of the President and his cabinet. The Senate and
the House of Representatives make
up the bicameral legislature. The
Supreme Court heads the systems
of courts under the judicial branch. Local governments are similar to the
executive branch in structure and function. Provinces are headed by governors,
cities and municipalities by mayors; and barangays by barangay captains.
The Constitution of 1987
is the fundamental law of the land.
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