Central & SE Asia / Australasia
Country profile: Philippines
Location: | Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam |
Climate: | tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) |
Terrain: | mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands |
Size: | 300000 sq. km total (Land area: 298170 sq. km Water area: 1830 sq.km) |
Population: | 92,681,453 (July 2008 est.) |
Languages: | Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan |
Government: | republic |
Capital city: | Manila |
Legal system: | based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations |
Currency: | Philippine peso (PHP) |
Licensing: |
Country profile
Under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippines has undergone an economic transformation, deregulating its energy sector and offering new incentives for foreign investment. President Arroyo came into power when former President Joseph Estrada was forced to resign in 2001, and in May 2004, she was reelected to another six-year term. Her tenure has not been without controversy, however. Most recently, in February 2006, President Arroyo decided to invoke a week-long state of emergency after an apparent coup attempt. President Arroyo has also survived two impeachment attempts over alleged corruption.
Despite some political instability, the Philippines has experienced strong economic growth over the last two years. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at 5.0 percent in 2005, down somewhat from the 15-year high growth rate of 6.2 percent seen in 2004. The country is currently experiencing a minor cyclical downturn, driven by high global oil prices and a slowing world economy. However, growth remains strong, with the Philippine economy growing an estimated 5.5 percent during the first half of 2006. A key driver of continued economic growth is overseas workers’ remittances, which help sustain strong private consumption in the Philippines. During 2005, total remittances from approximately seven million overseas workers stood at $10.7 billion, or about 11 percent of nominal GDP.
The Philippines is one of the claimants, along with China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, to the Spratly Islands, located in the South China Sea. Potential oil and natural gas reserves surrounding the islands have sparked the interest of all the littoral states. In September 2004, the Chinese and Philippine governments reached an agreement to jointly pursue seismic survey work in the Spratlys, but without giving up their respective territorial claims. Vietnam joined the agreement in March 2005, and it was formalized with a memorandum of understanding between the three governments.
Energy production and consumption
Oil | Gas | |
Production: | 24,310 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 2 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
Consumption: | 340,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 2 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
Exports: | 34,900 bbl/day (2004 est.) | |
Imports: | 353,700 bbl/day (2004 est.) | |
Reserves: | 152 million bbl (31 December 2006) | 107 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
Major fields: |
Philippines - recent news
18 Nov 20 |
Philippines: Jadestone Energy announces voluntary relinquishment of Philippines SC56 Jadestone Energy has announced the voluntary relinquishment and termination of Service Contract 56 ('SC56'), offshore Philippines. |
04 Nov 20 |
Philippines: Tamarind acquires Galoc field FPSO from Rubicon Tamarind Resources has acquired the FPSO Intrepid from its O&M provider Rubicon. In turn, Tamarind is leasing the FPSO Intrepid to the Galoc Joint Venture on terms that are mutually beneficial to both parties and most importantly, enable the Galoc JV to continue production and the economic life of the Galoc field. |
09 Jan 20 |
Philippines: Jadestone Energy announces award of damages in respect of Philippines arbitration Jadestone Energy has announced an award of monetary damages, plus a portion of the legal costs and expenses, as a result of an arbitration action between its wholly owned subsidiary Mitra Energy (Philippines SC-56) and Total E&P Philippines. |
14 Nov 19 |
Philippines: Udenna acquires Chevron’s 45 percent interest in Malampaya Udenna Corp has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Chevron Malampaya, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Philippines, which holds Chevron’s entire 45 percent non-operated interest in the Malampaya gas field in the Philippines. |
26 Sep 19 |
Philippines: Excelerate Energy receives Notice to Proceed from the Philippines for floating LNG terminal Excelerate Energy has received the Notice to Proceed from the Philippine Department of Energy to develop a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in the Bay of Batangas. |
Philippines - more news
Other countries in this region
- Australia,
- Bangladesh,
- Brunei,
- Cambodia,
- China,
- Fiji,
- Hong Kong,
- India,
- Indonesia,
- Japan,
- Laos,
- Malaysia,
- Maldives,
- Mongolia,
- Myanmar,
- Nepal,
- New Zealand,
- North Korea,
- Pakistan,
- Palau,
- Papua New Guinea,
- Singapore,
- South Korea,
- Sri Lanka,
- Taiwan,
- Thailand,
- Timor Leste,
- Vietnam