Philippines

The Philippines, Pearl of the orient

The Philippines was first colonized by the followers of the religion of Islam when the first group of Muslim Traders arrived in Sulu in 1380. As the Muslim traders spread throughout the archipelago, they established sultanates as a form of governance all throughout the 3 main islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In 1521 the Spaniards arrived to conquer the Philippines and they battled with the Muslims(Moros) and successfully drove them back to Sulu. The Spaniards ruled over the Philippines until 1898 when the Americans won the Spanish-American war. The Philippines was then ceded to the United States of America. In 1935, the USA allowed the Philippines to become a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence. On July 4, 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence and became a sovereign country for the first time.

Government type: presidential republic

The Philippines is divided into Regions, Provinces, Cities and Municipalities, Barangays and Puroks.

• As of 2015 according to the NSCB (National Statistical Coordination Board)
  • The Philippines is divided into 17 Regions.
  • There are 81 PROVINCES in the Philippines.
  • There are 146 Cities in the Philippines.
    • 38 Chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga City
  • There are 1,489 Municipalities in the Philippines.
  • There are 42,046 Barangays in the Philippines.

Capital City: Manila

Area: 300,000 sq. km. (117,187 sq. mi.).

• Terrain: Islands, 65% mountainous, with narrow coastal lowlands.
• Climate: Tropical, astride typhoon belt.
• Total water area: 1,830 sq km.
• Total coastline: 36,289 km.

Languages (dialects) of the Philippines: The Philippines has over 70 languages or dialects. Two native languages standout, that is Visayan and Tagalog. But as far the educational system and legislative system of the Philippines are concerned, the basic language is English. All tests to get certified and become professionals in the field of education, engineering, medicine, aviation, agriculture, etc. etc. are English based.

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Featured News of the Philippines

Updated: June 4, 2022

24 NPA mass base backers in Nueva Ecija withdraw support’.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Some 24 mass base supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) have withdrawn support for the communist group and took their oath of allegiance to the government in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija on Friday.

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Aid to insurgency-free villages to continue after PRRD term
ILOILO CITY – The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Western Visayas (RTF-ELCAC 6) reaffirmed its commitment to continue interventions in the region’s insurgency-cleared barangays beyond the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Source: “PNA.GOV.PH“