The °µÍø³Ô¹Ïhas earmarked over ₱400 million from its Corporate Operating Budget to upgrade and expand vital ports in Samar, which will function as alternative transport routes linking the provinces of Leyte and Samar.
09 JUNE 2025 – In response to transportation challenges brought about by restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has allocated more than Php400 million from its Corporate Operating Budget to expand and modernize key ports in Samar that will serve as alternate transport routes between the provinces of Leyte and Samar.
In less than a month since the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced the implementation of a three-ton weight limit on the San Juanico Bridge, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ïimmediately inspected and identified the municipal fishing port port of Amandayehan located in Basey, Samar as a strategic alternative route due to its strategic location and proximity to Tacloban Port.Ìý
A series of inter-agency consultations and discussions were taken consideration involving the DPWH, DOTr, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and local government units (LGUs) which focuses on enabling Amandayehan Port to accommodate RoRo and Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels, which previously exceeded the port’s original capacity.
Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, °µÍø³Ô¹ÏGeneral Manager Jay Santiago, and representatives from other government agencies, and maritime stakeholders visited the port on June 8, 2025 to ensure that operations are running smoothly and to act swiftly with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide timely and concrete solutions to the transport disruption.Ìý
“These initiatives, with a total value of ₱410 million from the PPA’s Corporate Operating Budget, underscore our commitment to strengthening inter-island connectivity and supporting the economic growth of the Province of Leyte and the broader Eastern Visayas region," said GM Santiago.Ìý
To support maritime safety and navigational reliability of Amandayehan Port, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ïwill now install 14 navigation buoys worth ₱100 million. These aids will ensure safer vessel passage, especially at night or during inclement weather, and will form part of the agency’s broader maritime infrastructure improvements in Eastern Visayas. In addition, the agency has allocated ₱100 million for dredging works and ₱200 million for the port’s physical expansion, enabling it to handle more vessels and cargo volume.Ìý
The °µÍø³Ô¹Ïis now also finalizing the turnover of the Amandayehan Port from the LGU before the year ends to further equip the port for this transition and future largerÌýoperations.Ìý
The °µÍø³Ô¹Ïaffirms that this program goes beyond providing a short-term solution to the effects of the San Juanico Bridge restrictions and that Visayas operations will continue unimpeded. It aims to establish long-term, reliable, and resilient transport systems in the region through continuous port modernization, seamless and sustainable connectivity across the country.
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