After weeks of significant disruption and congestion caused by weight limitations on the San Juanico Bridge, operations at the Port of Amandayehan in Basey, Samar, are now in full swing, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Currently, six Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels are operating actively between Tacloban port and Amandayehan port, ensuring uninterrupted cargo and passenger movement.
The PPA-funded installation of navigational aids have been completed as well, paving the way for smoother maritime traffic and heightened safety protocols in the area.
As of June 23, 2025, the Amandayehan port has commenced full time operations with six LCT vessels now actively operating 24/7.
“This is not only a quick fix to a transportation crisis, but a long-term investment in the connectivity and resilience of the Eastern Visayas region,” said PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, citing the P410 million budget drawn from the agency’s Corporate Operating Budget.
The comprehensive upgrade at the port, funded by the PPA’s P410 million budget, includes the P200 million for port expansion, which allows Amandayehan to accommodate larger RoRo and Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels, significantly increasing its capacity, P100 million for dredging works: and P00 million for the installation of 14 navigational buoys:
It can be recalled that on June 8, 2025, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, PPA GM Jay Santiago, and other key maritime stakeholders conducted a joint site inspection to ensure the port’s readiness, fulfilling the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to deliver concrete solutions to transportation disruptions in the region.
“The opening and upgrade of the Port of Amandayehan is a testament to what decisive leadership and inter-agency coordination can accomplish,” Santiago added.
With a fully operational port, modern navigational systems, and 24/7 maritime services, Amandayehan port is now ready to support economic growth and daily inter-island connectivity in the Visayas region.
