ORMOC

chartered city, western Leyte, Philippines. The city lies at the head of Ormoc Bay, an inlet of the Camotes Sea. It serves the only commercial sugarcane district in the eastern Visayas. Rice, copra, and sugar are exported, and sugar, rice, and corn (maize) milling are important. Ormoc has an airport and is the headquarters of Tongonan Hot Spring National Park. During World War II, Ormoc was Leyte's largest Japanese stronghold and supply base; it fell to the U.S. general Douglas MacArthur's forces on Dec. 10, 1944. The modern city was built on the ruins of the old city. Inc. city, 1947. Pop. (1980) 104,978.