Ormoc City

Infobox Philippine city
infoboxtitle = City of Ormoc
sealfile =
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_leyte_ormoc.pngcaption = Map of Leyte showing the location of Ormoc City.
region = Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
province = Leyte
districts = 4th district of Leyte
barangays = 110
class = 1st class city
mayor = Eric Codilla
cityhood = June 21, 1947
areakm2 = 613.6
pop2000 = 154,297
popden2000 = 251
pop2007 = 177,524
popden2007 = 289
coordinates = coord|11.005|124.609|display=inline,title

The City of Ormoc is a 1st class city in the province of Leyte, Philippines. The city's name is derived from "ogmok", an old Visayan term for lowland or depressed plain. It is the first non-provincial city of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 177,524 people. Ormoc is the economic, cultural, commercial and transportation hub of western Leyte.

Ormoc City is an independent component city, not subject to regulation from the Provincial Government of Leyte. However, the city is part of the congressional district IV of Leyte together with Albuera, Kananga, Merida, and Isabel towns.

In November 1991, the Ormoc region was inundated by Tropical Storm Thelma (local name: Uring). Flash floods and landslides killed an estimated 6,000 people, mostly in Ormoc itself.

Geography

Ormoc City is a port city and is the largest city by land area in Leyte and second largest in Eastern Visayas after Calbayog City in Samar. Fronting Ormoc Bay, the city's terrain is mostly of gently rolling plains. It is bounded on the northwest by the towns of Matag-ob and Merida, in the north by Kananga, in the northeast by the towns of Jaro, Pastrana and Dagami, and in the south by the town of Albuera. High mountain ranges separate Ormoc from the eastern portion of Leyte. Numerous rivers and streams traverse Ormoc. Among them are the Bao River in the north, Pagsangahan River in the east, the Bagong-bong River in the south, the Panilahan River also in the south and the Anilao and Malbasag Rivers which border the eastern and western flanks of Ormoc City Proper.

Tourism Highlights

* The Leyte Mountain Trail treking area starts at Lake Danao and goes to the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park—a distance of 40 km.
* Rainforest tour lakes (Mahagnao, Malagsum, Casudsu-Ran and Danao), the Guinaban falls, forests, plains and views of the island of Samar from the central Amandiwing mountain range, the profusion of tropical flora and fauna, including colourful insects, butterflies, deer, wildboar, monkeys, birds, orchids and giant fern.
* Lake Danao is a violin shaped lake 3 km long at an elevation of 2,100 feet (640 m) above sea level. The lake is said to house a giant eel. Boats are available for hire. There is a floating restaurant.
* Tongonan Hotsprings National Park is a valley of geothermal power source, that can supply electricity to the whole region. The first geothermal plant to operate in the Philippines.
* Leyte Golf and Country Club is a premier golfing resort covering more than 80 hectares of semi-rolling terrain nestled on a plateau with palms, coconut, fruit-bearing trees and flowering shrubs. The course, located 7 km from the heart of Ormoc City, challenges your style of play, yet relaxes you as you traverse its lush green fairways.
* Pineapple Plantation lies in 210 hectares in rolling terrain located north of the city Brgy. Hibunawon. Ormoc takes pride on its Queen Pineapple, famous for its sweetness that even people from faraway places prefer our variety. Visitors make it a point to bring along bundles of the famous Queen for pasalubong, making the city some what synonymous with the fruit.
* Centennial Park is located in the city. It is a favorite rendezvous for the young and old alike for picnics and leisurely strolls on its verdant lawn. And from here, one can experience the refreshing breeze from the sea and witness the magnificent beauty of the sunset.

People and Culture

The people of Ormoc are called Ormocanons. Ormocanons are predominantly Cebuano-speaking (or "Kana", as Cebuano-speakers in Leyte and Southern Leyte are often called) together with the whole western part of Leyte island. The people relate more to neighboring towns and Cebu than to eastern Leyte itself.

Like most Filipinos, Ormocanons, being predominantly Roman Catholic, celebrate the annual city fiesta for the patron saints Peter and Paul on June 28 and 29. Catholic religious festivals are observed throughout the year.

Economy, Commerce, and Industry

Ormoc City's economic base is a good mix of agriculture, aquaculture, industry, tourism, and commercial services. Sugar cane, rice and pineapple are the bulk produce of the agricultural sector. The city enjoys economic growth because it supplies the whole country of its power needs due to the abundant geothermal power resources in Tongonan and neighbouring Kananga town. Ormoc is also the gateway to the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in the nearby town of Isabel, home of the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Plant, the largest fertilizer factory in Asia, and the Philippine Associated Smelter and Refining Company, the country's biggest copper processing plant, among other industries.

The commercial service sector in the city is on the upswing. Banks,virtual assistance center, restaurants, cafes, night spots and sports centers dot the city. There are four sizable shopping centers in Ormoc City - these are the Gaisano Ormoc, Ormoc Centrum, The Point mall and A Mall. There are also many giftshops, videoshops, cellshops, pawnshops, bookstores and whole-sale stores around the city.

Transportation and Communications

Land and sea transport are available year-round. TV and radio networks broadcasting from Cebu reach the city. Internet connection is available through local and national ISPs like Globe broadband and Smart Bro. The city is served by telecommunication companies such as Ormoc Telephone Company (OrTelCo), PLDT, BayanTel, Globelines, Globe, Smart, and Sun Cellular.

Education

Ormoc is the educational center in western Leyte. Its primary and secondary schools, both private and public are noted for excellence in the region. Tertiary education is offered by the following: St. Peter's College of Ormoc, a Benedictine-run Catholic college and the oldest; Western Leyte College, a private non-sectarian college, second oldest. In the 1990s, the city saw the establishment of Sto. Niño College and the STI computer college. In the 2000s, tertiary institutions founded are the AMA CLC, Ormoc City School of Arts and Trades, San Lorenzo Ruiz College, SYNTACS Computer College and the Ormoc campus of the Eastern Visayas State University.

Awards

Ormoc City is a consistent winner of the Cleanest and Greenest City program of the DILG from 1995 to the present. The Asian Institute of Management's study titled "The Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2005" ranked the city first in 'infrastructure' and tenth in 'dynamism of local economy' among small cities of the Philippines. The city also garnered the 2005 Most Business-Friendly City award in the Visayas by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Barangays

Ormoc City is politically subdivided into 110 barangays.

External links

* [http://www.ormoc.gov.ph/ Ormoc City official website]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/municipality.asp?muncode=083738000&regcode=08&provcode=37 Philippine Standard Geographic Code for Ormoc City]
* [http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/ 2007 Philippine Census of Population]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru8/ National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Regional Division VIII (Eastern Visayas)]
* 2000 Philippine Census Information: [http://www.census.gov.ph/census2000/]