Philippine Environment
THE PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENT
introduction
The Philippines is an archipelago comprising some 7,100 islands with a total land area of almost 300,000 square kilometres. Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei border the Philippines to the south, China—and Taiwan—to the north, Vietnam to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Three main island groups divide the country: Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the centre, and Mindanao in the south. Luzon and Mindanao together make up 65 per cent of the Philippines' total land mass. The capital city, Manila, is located on Luzon.
The projected population of the Philippines is 94 million in 2010, with about 15 per cent belonging to indigenous groups. It is estimated that about 80 per cent of the population are Catholics and 5 per cent are Muslims. The most commonly spoken language in the Philippines is Filipino, a language derived from the Tagalog language of central and southern Luzon. English is also widely spoken, particularly in urban areas. There are some 87 ethnic languages and dialects spoken throughout the Philippines.
The Philippines, despite some favourable social and economic indicators, is yet to reach its economic potential. Growth that has not been inclusive, and growth that has been steady rather than dynamic over the past two decades has prevented the Philippines from keeping pace with many of its East Asian neighbours in reducing poverty.
The Government of the Philippines' Midterm Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) shows the country is on track to meet 2015 targets on reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and increasing access to safe drinking water and sanitation. However, the country needs to increase its efforts to meet universal primary education and maternal health goals.
The Aquino government assumed office on 1 July 2010. President Aquino faces the challenge of ensuring that growth translates into poverty
introduction
The Philippines is an archipelago comprising some 7,100 islands with a total land area of almost 300,000 square kilometres. Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei border the Philippines to the south, China—and Taiwan—to the north, Vietnam to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Three main island groups divide the country: Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the centre, and Mindanao in the south. Luzon and Mindanao together make up 65 per cent of the Philippines' total land mass. The capital city, Manila, is located on Luzon.
The projected population of the Philippines is 94 million in 2010, with about 15 per cent belonging to indigenous groups. It is estimated that about 80 per cent of the population are Catholics and 5 per cent are Muslims. The most commonly spoken language in the Philippines is Filipino, a language derived from the Tagalog language of central and southern Luzon. English is also widely spoken, particularly in urban areas. There are some 87 ethnic languages and dialects spoken throughout the Philippines.
The Philippines, despite some favourable social and economic indicators, is yet to reach its economic potential. Growth that has not been inclusive, and growth that has been steady rather than dynamic over the past two decades has prevented the Philippines from keeping pace with many of its East Asian neighbours in reducing poverty.
The Government of the Philippines' Midterm Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) shows the country is on track to meet 2015 targets on reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and increasing access to safe drinking water and sanitation. However, the country needs to increase its efforts to meet universal primary education and maternal health goals.
The Aquino government assumed office on 1 July 2010. President Aquino faces the challenge of ensuring that growth translates into poverty