How many islands are there in the Philippines?

Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje declared it in his speech at the Philippine Environment Summit held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City last Wednesday.

According to Ramon J.P. Paje, the National Mapping Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) was able to found islands from different parts of the country by using the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR), raising the total to about 7,500, from the previously known 7,100.

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The Philippines is now officially 500 islands more according to NAMRIA

Jose Cabayanan Jr., deputy administrator of NAMRIA, said that most of the newly found islands was located in Mindanao. According to him it was the result of a nationwide survey conducted in 2013. He said that the islands were known to be part of a bigger one; However, with the use of IfSAR, a more sophisticated and high-tech gadget, they were able to distinguish the land masses which are surrounded by bodies of water.

He explained that a landmass will be considered as an island if it is above sea level and high tide at any time given. Also, if it can give support to either animal life or plant, or both.

Based on reports, NAMRIA has finished the ground validation in Luzon and is presently operating in the various areas in Visayas.

Jose Cabayanan Jr. stated that at the end of the year the agency will be expected to accomplish the ground validation, as well as that in Mindanao.

According to him, more than 5,000 are "nameless islands" while 2,000 are inhabited of the previously known 7,100 islands. While the new found islands will soon be part of the Philippine map once the ground validation is completed.

The Philippines is divided into three group of islands namely, Luzon in the north, Visayas in the center, and Mindanao in the south.

2019 update

According to the Facebook post of the Philippine Geomatics Symposium (PhilGEOS).

With the advancement in mapping technology, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) was able to confirm that there are over 500 new islands (in the country). NAMRIA utilized Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) to improve detection of land masses and changing land forms.

As of October 18, 2019, there are now 7,641 islands in the Philippines.

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