ths from normal everyday diseases. Despite how much effort has been put into the medical attention, in 1990 over 50 % of the population were still listed below the poverty line. Social security is also another big problem in the Philippines. In 1989 of the 22 million employed individuals, only 10.5 million were covered by social security. In health care and social security, the Philippines entered the 90's as a modernizing society struggling with limited success to attain financial resources that would be able to provide people with a better life. Now, since then the number has risen, but not by much. An aspect of how the economy needs to grow is the issue of internal transportation. Over the years the transportation methods have been becoming more modern and more easily accessible. Today, an extensive road network links most of the country. There are 156,997 kilometers of total roads, but less than 30,000 km are fully developed and can not be used in all weather conditions. There is 490 km of operational narrow-gauge railroad tracks out of the total 897-km of tracks. Inland waterways total 3,219 km, but are limited to shallow draft vessels that can be no longer than 1.5 meters. Ferries are the primary mode of transportation between islands. The Pan-Philippine highway stretches from Zamboanga through many of the eastern islands, extending all the way up to the northern most island city of Laoag. In most places around the world transportation of the air is also a big method. The Philippines have modernized their airports and now have a total of 87 airports, 52 of which are commercial flights and 35 are for general aviation. They have designated two international airports, which facilitate most major international airlines. Several domestic airports are currently undergoing technological improvements to better their flight servicing capabilities. Trading is a big part of any country's economy. In the Philippines the larg...
