International Calendar 2014

Philippines

Republika ng Pilipinas
Archipelago in Southeastern Asia

Area 300,000 km² (RANK 73)

Arable 19%

Capital Manila (11.5M)

Population 103,775,002 (346/km²)

Literacy 92%

Life expectancy 72 yrs

HIV/AIDS <.1% (8,700 adults)

In poverty 27%

Military 0.9% of GDP (RANK 136 of 195)

Languages Filipino, English and eight major dialects

Religions Catholic 83%, Muslim, Evangelical, Iglesia ni Kristo

Gov’t Republic

GDP/capita $4,100

Agriculture sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, fish

Industry electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing

PCVs 1961-90, 1992-present, current 223, TTD 8,680, education, youth development, costal resource management

Laoang, Northern Samar

“Fishy playtime” is usually a cool break for the fisherfolk’s children in Laoang, Northern Samar. Normally, the children help with the fishing or search for edible seaweed, snails, or sea cucumbers which have medicinal value.
On this hot, summer day, though, the people of Laoang are conducting a sea grass assessment, and the children are holding a bamboo grid used to estimate sea grass coverage. Coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sea grass beds compose the highly productive yet threatened coastal ecosystems that sustain fisherfolk life in Laoang.
Photo © 2010 Leah Ettema
Peace Corps Volunteer, Philippines, 2009-2011