Ormoc City, together with other areas in Western Leyte, experienced the devastating effect of Super Typhoon Haiyan primarily in agriculture where small farmers lost their crops and livestock. With the region’s poverty incidence at 41.2 per cent, it was estimated to rise to 55.7 per cent due to an increase in unemployment and food price hikes as a result of the massive destruction caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

Agriculture is one of the economic drivers of Ormoc City. With a projected population of 203,540 (NSO 2013), consisting of 43,792 households, about 7 per cent are small farmer-households that rely on crop production as their main source of income. An estimated 56.64 per cent of the total land area of 46,430 hectares is cultivated, where rice, corn, vegetables and coconuts are the major products. The city produces a significant share of Eastern Visayas’ food production as its location serves as a drop-off point for fish and farm products in Leyte.

To assist small farmers and their families in resuming their crop production activities and recovering lost incomes, the provision of immediate opportunities for employment, farming inputs, additional skills training on alternative non-agriculture livelihood activities, and cash grants were seen as priorities. The small rice and corn farmers belonged mostly in the vulnerable group of workers, and were identified as a priority sector for a joint intervention by ILO, FAO and Save the Children, which aimed at restoring agriculture production, income opportunities and food self-sufficiency through diversification and alternative resilient agriculture practices.

For further information please contact:

ILO Country Office for the Philippines (CO-Manila)
19th Floor, Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tel. +632 8580 9900
Fax +632 8856 7597
Email