LocationSouth-East Asia.
Area300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).
Population82.8 million (UN, 2005).
Population Density274.3 per sq km.
CapitalManila.
Population: 9.9 million (2005 metropolitan area).
GovernmentRepublic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946.
Recent history: The constitution adopted in 1987 provides for a dual-chamber congress comprising a 24-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a maximum 250 members, of whom 200 are directly elected.
The President, who holds executive power, is elected for a six year term. Gloria Arroyo was elevated from Vice President to President in 2001 after protests led to the ousting of her predecessor, Joseph Estrada. In 2003, she survived an attempt by military mutineers to unseat her. Mrs Arroyo won a second six-year term in June 2004, defeating her main rival, the film star Fernando Poe Junior. Her first term brought mixed success. Her opponents claimed that she had cheated in the 2004 elections and levelled corruption allegations against her husband and other family members. Mrs Arroyo faces the challenge of delivering on her promises to create jobs and to improve living standards. Social and economic reforms introduced during her first term did little to ease poverty and the country’s debt burden.
LanguageFilipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; in 1990 there were 988 recorded languages.
ReligionRoman Catholic 83 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.
TimeGMT + 8.
Electricity220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.
Head of StatePresident Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001.
TelephoneCountry code: 63. International calls to the smaller towns must be booked through the operator.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to Manila and other main urban areas.
InternetInternet cafes are available across the country
MediaPowerful commercial interests control or influence much of the media. The lively TV scene is dominated by the free-to-air networks ABS-CBN and GMA. Many TV broadcasters also operate radio networks. Press freedom is guaranteed under the 1987 constitution.
PostAirmail to Europe takes at least five days.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700.
Press• There are about 17 daily newspapers.
• English-language daily newspapers include the
Daily Tribune,
Manila Bulletin,
Malaya,
Manila Times,
Philippine Daily Inquirer and the
Philippine Star.
Radio• Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a government-run network operating stations all over the Philippines.
• ABS-CBN, GMA Network, Manila Broadcasting Company and
Radio Mindanao Network operate stations nationwide.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day.
5 Apr Maundy Thursday.
6 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
12 Jun Independence Day.
31 Aug National Heroes’ Day.
13 Oct Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year’s Eve.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day.
20 Mar Maundy Thursday.
21 Mar Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
12 Jun Independence Day.
31 Aug National Heroes’ Day.
13 Oct Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year’s Eve.
NoteEaster is a major holiday in The Philippines and travel may be disrupted.
Contact Information:Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the UK9A Palace Green, London W8 4QE, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 1600
or (020) 7361 4640/36/42 (consular section).
Website:
www.philemb.org.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (visa applications); Mon-Fri 1600-1700 (visa collection).
Philippine Cultural and Tourism Office in the UK146 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4EF, UK
Tel: (020) 7835 1100.
Website:
www.wowphilippines.co.uk Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the USA1600 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 467 9300.
Website:
www.philippineembassy-usa.org
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