CHAPTER 1: THE PHILIPPINES AND IT’S PEOPLE
1.1 Geography
1.2 Economy
1.3 Population
1.4 Government
1.5 Filipino Traits and Values
1.1 GEOGRAPHY
Is an archipelago lying in Southeast Asia.
Located a little above the equator belongs to the Northern Hemisphere.
Has an approximately 7,107 islands.
Has a total land area of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq. miles)
Has an irregular coastline that stretches for about 36,289 km.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines covers 2,263,816 square
kilometers, 200 nautical miles from the shores.
Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The highest point is the peak of Mt. Apo (2,954m) above sea level while it’s
deepest point, the Galathea Depth, has a depth of 10,540m.
Surrounded by the South China Sea on the Northern and West part, Pacific
Ocean in the East and Celebes Sea to the South.
Biggest island in the Philippines are: Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Palawan,
Negros, Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu and Bohol.
Longest river is the Cagayan River.
Largest lake is the Laguna de bay.
Y’Ami is located in the northernmost point of the country and Saluag in the
southernmost point of the Country.
Currently, the Philippines is divided into 17 Regions.
Region 1 – Ilocos Region
Region 2 – Cagayan Valley
Region 3 – Central Luzon
Region 4 A – CALABARZON
Region 4 B – MIMAROPA
Region 5 – Bicol Region
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Region 6 – Western Visayas
Region 7 – Central Visayas
Region 8 – Eastern Visayas
Region 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula
Region 10 – Northern Mindanao
Region 11 – Davao Region
Region 12 – SOCCSKSARGEN
Region 13 – Caraga Region
National Capital Region (NCR)
Cordillera Administrative Region (Car)
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
Aside from the division of 17 Regions. It has 81 Provinces, 145 Cities, 1,489
Municipalities and 42,036 Barangays.
Manila is the capital of the country. And Quezon City as the most populous city
in the country.
CLIMATE:
Tropical and Monsoonal climate.
Two major seasons: Dry Season (extends from December to May) and Wet
Season (extends from June to November)
The period from late November to February is usually cool.
May is often the hottest month of the year and January as the coldest.
Typhoons in the country can be classified “remarkable”.
Typhoons and tropical cyclones most frequently enter the Philippine Area of
Responsibility (PAR) during the months of July to October. Some of the worst
typhoon that hit the Philippines were: Uring in November 1991, Rosing in
October 1995, Reming in November 2006, Ondoy in September 2009 and
Yolanda in November 2013.
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1.2 ECONOMY
Three major economic sector in the Philippines are: Services, Manufacturing
and Agriculture.
Primarily considered as a newly industrialized country. (Services: 58.6%,
Manufacturing: 34%, Agriculture: 7.4%)
Named as one of the Tiger Economies Club in Asia.
Primary exports are semi-conductors and electric equipments, transport
equipments, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut
oil and fruits.
Major trading partners are China, Japan, United States, Singapore, South
Korea, The Netherlands, Hongkong, Germany, Taiwan and Thailand.
Trade organizations: APEC, ASEAN, WTO, EAS, AFTA and ADB.
34th largest economy by nominal GDP, 13th largest economy in Asia and 3rd
largest economy in ASEAN after Indonesia and Thailand. (According to the
2017 estimate of the International Monetary Fund’s Statistics.)
1.3 POPULATION
13th most populated country in the world. Philippines population has been
steadily growing for many years.
Components of population change in the Philippines.
1. One birth every 14 seconds.
2. One death every 50 seconds.
3. One net migrant for every 8 minutes.
Statistics:
Birth rate: 16.2 births/1,000 population.
Death rate: 5.5 death/1,000 population.
Life expectancy: 68.72 years (men); 74.74 years (women)
Population: Approximately 109 million
Annual growth rate: 1.72%
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1.4 GOVERNMENT
Is a republic with a presidential form of Government wherein power is equally
divided among it’s three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary.
3 Branches of PH Government
EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE JUDICIAL
(carries out the law) (makes the law) (evaluates the law)
PRESIDENT CONGRESS
SUPREME COURT
VICE PRESIDENT SENATE
OTHER COURTS
CABINET HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Executive Branch (Law-enforcing body)
Carries out and enforces the law. It includes the President, Vice President, the
Cabinet, Executive departments, Independent agencies, Commisions and
Committees.
Legislative Branch (Law-making body)
Enacts legislation and confirms or rejects Presidential appointments. It includes
the Congress. Made up by the Senators and the House of Representatives.
Judiciary (Law-interpreting body)
Interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases and decides if
laws violate the constitution. It is headed by the Supreme Court, which has a
Chief Justice and 14 associate justices and the lower courts.
Office of the Ombudsman
Monitors the government or three of it’s branches. The Ombudsman is given the
mandate to investigate and prosecute any government official allegedly guilty of
crimes, especially Graft and Corruption. Three are six deputies to assist the
Ombudsman, namely: Overall Deputy, Deputy for Luzon, Deputy for Visayas,
Deputy for Mindanao, Deputy for the Armed Forces and the Special
Prosecutor.
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Local Government Units (LGU)
Is divided into three levels – provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.
Provinces – headed by a Governor.
Cities and Municipalities – headed by a Mayor.
Barangays – headed by a Barangay Chairman.
Constitution
The Philippines has undergone five constitutional changes sincethe Malolos
Constitution of 1899 which set up the 1st Filipino Republic with Emilio Aguinaldo as the
President.
These constitutios are:
1. 1935 constitution , which served as the basis for transition Commonwealth
government with Manuel L. Quezon as the President.
2. 1943 constitution of the japanes sponsored government which recognized the
Second Republic under Jose P. Laurel.
3. 1946 constitution, which set up the Third Republic under Manuel A. Roxas.
4. 1987 constitution that extended the term of Ferdinand E. Marcos as the
President beyond the provision of the 1935 constitution and set up the Fourth
Republic.
5. 1987 constitution during the presidency of Corazon C. Aquino as the
President of the Fifth Republic.
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1.5 FILIPINO TRAITS AND VALUES
Filipinos are people have several values.
Hospitality: Filipinos are known for being hospitable, especially to tourists and
wanderers who do not have a place to stay.
Pakikisama: A sense of togetherness or comradeship; refers to doing good
deeds to someone without asking for compensation or having an ulterior motive.
Utang na loob or Debt of Gratitude: A person who receives a favour from
another, whether this person is a friend or not, is expected to pay his debt of
gratitude by returning the favour in the same manner or measure, if not more.
Hiya or Kahihiyan: A sense of shame; to the Filipinos just like the other Asian
people must possess to a high degree.
Optimism: Despite being a path for typhoons, Filipinos remain positive about
their situation. Whatever problems come their way, they always greet visitors with
a smile on their faces and say “It’s okay”.