Destination: Ormoc

CEBU, Philippines – It was in 1947 when Ormoc became a city. From then, its local government officials have used the city’s natural resources to its advantage to help it become a favorite destination for vacation-goers.

Ormoc is a first class city in the province of Leyte. Its name comes from the Visayan word “ogmok,” which means lowland or depressed plain.

Preserving Mother Nature’s best is one of the priorities of the Ormocanons. Proof of this are the awards that Ormoc has received as one of the Cleanest and Greenest Cities in the country by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“Here in Ormoc, as much as possible, we make sure that environmental laws are implemented,” said Mayor Eric “Beboy” Codilla who told to The Freeman how the campaign started and how they dealt with the problems that the city encountered.

In November 5, 1991, tropical storm Uring shook Ormoc City, causing flash floods and landslides, killing more than 5,000 residents.

But officials, with the help of the locals, worked together for their city to stand up again. They worked hand in hand to restore their forests to prevent floods and landslides. The city also improved the different infrastructures.

Codilla shared that his father, who was mayor at that time, started the rehabilitation projects and he continued the implementation of these projects when he won the post in 2004.

Today, visitors of Ormoc City see no trace of the tragedy as hotels, banks, shops, restaurants and schools are seen all over.

The city now has malls like Gaisano Ormoc, Point Mall, A Mall and Ormoc Centrum, as well as two buildings for their market, and the Ormoc Superdome, which are all located in an area that is accessible to everyone. Wide bridges and roads also make it easier for the people who commute by jeepneys and tricycles - the means of transportation in the city. These projects helped Ormoc get the top rank in a study made by the Asian Institute of Management on infrastructure projects in small cities.

The Veterans’ Centennial Park, which was made in the early 1990s as a tribute to the soldiers who fought for the country, is also a favorite hangout for Ormocanons.   

Ormoc City is the first non-provincial city of the Philippines and has proven to be competitive in the business sector, bagging the Most Business Friendly City in the Visayas area award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2005.

Aside from this, Ormoc boasts of its agricultural resources which, according to Mayor Codilla, have helped their city progress.

“Agricultural city man gyud mi,” Codilla said, explaining that almost 50 percent of their total land area is used for agriculture, with 5,600 hectares for rice production alone.

As for tourism, the city is making sure that they are not left behind. Hotels, which are commendable due to impeccable facilities and friendly employees, like the Sabin Hotel, Hotel Don Felipe, Ormoc Villa Hotel and New Pongos Hotel are available. Tourist destinations in Ormoc include Lake Danao, the Leyte Golf and Country Club, Leyte Mountain Trail, beaches, as well as the forests.

Mayor Codilla proudly shared that although people from Manila have to take a plane to Tagbilaran then take a bus ride for Ormoc, and people from Cebu have to take a fast craft, increasing tourist arrivals by 90 percent.

Ormoc City sure has a lot to offer for both young and old alike and what better time to have this opportunity than to join in on the fun during their fiesta celebration this June 29, in honor of their Patron Saints Peter and Paul.

Mayor Codilla said that they have a lot of activities in line for the celebration to ensure that everybody would have a great time. “Come to Ormoc City, with the wonderful places to visit and beautiful people, you will surely have a great time!”