Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) officials said Tuesday that logistics and traffic flow in Eastern Visayas have returned to normal following the lifting of weight restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge.
The recovery follows a strategic shift between May and December 2025, when the PPA activated the Port of Amandayehan in Basey, Samar as an alternative to the Tacloban route to mitigate cargo congestion.
The agency invested more than P400 million in infrastructure, including dredging, navigational aids and port expansion for roll-on/roll-off and landing craft transport vessels to support the transition.
Congestion along major access roads in Leyte and Samar had disrupted the movement of commercial vehicles and essential goods after bridge authorities enforced strict load limits. In response to national government directives, PPA general-manager Jay Santiago identified the Basey facility as a viable interim alternative due to its proximity to Tacloban Port.
During the peak restriction period between June and November 2025, these ports handled 2,632 shipcalls and 7,256 rolling cargoes.
Traffic queues at the Tacloban Bypass Road and Amandayehan Port were fully cleared by Dec. 29, 2025, after the Department of Public Works and Highways implemented a two-way increased load limit of 15 tons on the San Juanico Bridge starting Dec. 12.
The interim operations involved a 24-hour framework with an average of four vessels deployed daily. PMO Eastern Leyte–Samar acting port manager Steffi Guillamon said the route facilitated the movement of an average of 800 trucks per day at the height of operations.
The PPA coordinated the effort with the Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard and local government units to regulate loading activities and prevent spillback onto major road networks.
Santiago said the restored traffic flow has improved logistics efficiency and reduced turnaround times for perishable goods, contributing to the stabilization of economic activity in the region.
