Ormoc

Ormoc is a highly urbanized coastal port city, serving as the economic, cultural, commercial, and transportation hub of western Leyte. The city’s location, vast agricultural land, and coastal site endow it with natural resources, marine biodiversity, and natural tourist spots. Ormoc is the second most populous city in the Leyte province after Tacloban, the provincial capital, and is subdivided into 110 barangays. Of these, 31 are classified as urban barangays, 10 as urban coastal, 63 as rural, and 6 as rural coastal barangays.

The city is bound by Ormoc Bay to the west, while rolling valley plains run from the north to the south, with numerous rivers and streams traversing the plains. Both its location and vibrant seaport account for its role as a gateway hub.

Climate Change Vulnerability

• Given its geographical location, Ormoc is highly susceptible to natural hazards and extreme weather events.

• A number of barangays in Ormoc located along the shore are particularly vulnerable to flooding, although the rural agricultural areas are also at high risk to disasters.

• In 1991, the Ormoc region was devastated by tropical storm Uring. Massive flashfloods triggered by heavy rain and mudslides were responsible for killing thousands of people.

• While typhoon Haiyan did not directly hit Ormoc, it still brought strong winds that caused damage, power and communications lines were cut off and roads were left impassable.

• In July 2017, Ormoc and neighbouring cities were hit by an earthquake. A few deaths were reported, and the Department of Public Works and Highways in the region estimated at least PHP 271 million of damages. The city declared a state of calamity.

Climate & Urban Profile

1. Population: 215,031 Population Density: 350.44 pp/sq. km

2. Land Area: 613.6 sq. km.

3. No. of Barangays: 110

4. Income Classification: 1st IRA Dependency Rate: 75%

5. No. of Days w/ Rainfall >300 mm 2020:* 10 2050:** 15

6. No. of Dry Days 2020:* 5,199 2050:** 5,475

7. Projected Increase in Temperature (°C) 2020:* 1.3 2050:** 2.3

8. Seasonal Rainfall Change (%) 2020:* 9.5 2050:** 19.6

9. * 2006-2035, with 2020 as midpoint
   ** 2036-2065, with 2050 as midpoint

Urbanisation

• Ormoc was officially recognized as a non-provincial capital city in 1947. The formal designation was a point of departure for the city’s growth over the past decades.

• The city’s vison and mission is, “Ormoc City as the agro-commercial and industrial gateway in Eastern Visayas and the Renewable Energy Capital of the Philippines; with a growth inclusive economy, in a disaster resilient environment, administered by an accountable local government.”

• There are a number of tertiary local economies like banking and tourism in Ormoc. The city continues to earn the recognition as a convention area.

• With 90% of the structures concentrated in the city proper, urban congestion is increasingly a problem that affects quality of life in the urban area.

• According to the Ormoc CLUP, many of the projects and programs of Ormoc have been stalled or slowed down following Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013.

Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives

• The city’s Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) 2016 –2025 is meant to serve as an initial ten-year action plan that outlines the city’s specific programs and strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change.

• Ormoc has the largest geothermal powerplant in Asia which supplies power to both Eastern Visayas and Luzon. There is also a vast solar farm operating in the city.

• As early as 1998, Geographic Information System (GIS) was used by the city government as part of its disaster preparedness response to tropical storm Uring.

• Ormoc City has a functional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The office has formulated a draft of the 2017 Annual City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.

• In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the city government, representatives of different national and local youth organizations requested the city government of Ormoc and other development partners for a seat in the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in 2015.