𝐏𝐏𝐀 takes over Amandayehan port, allocates more than PHP400-M for upgrade

In response to transportation challenges brought about by restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is taking over Amandayehan port in Samar and allocated more than PHP400 million from its operating budget to expand and modernize the seaport that will serve as alternate transport route between the provinces of Leyte and Samar and facilitate trade flow to the Visayas area.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said that the project will ensure maritime safety and navigational reliability of Amandayehan Port. PPA will install 14 navigation buoys worth ₱110 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, another ₱100 million will be used for dredging works. The remaining ₱200 million have been allocated for the port’s physical expansion, enabling it to handle more vessels and cargo volume.

“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 Santiago.

Amandayehan port, located in Basey, Samar, is not actually a PPA-managed port as it belongs to the local government. Withe exigency brought about by the San Juanico rehabilitation, the PPA is now finalizing the turnover of the Amandayehan Port from the local government unit before the year ends to further equip the port for this transition and future larger operations.

The decision to take over the Amandayehan port came 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 PPA immediately inspected and identified the municipal fishing port of Amandayehan located in Basey, Samar as a strategic alternative route due to its strategic location and proximity to Tacloban Port.

A series of inter-agency consultations and discussions were held involving the DPWH, DOTr, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and local government units (LGUs) focusing 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, GM 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.

The PPA affirms 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.

Santiago said the Amandayehan project aims to establish long-term, reliable, and resilient transport systems in the region through continuous port modernization, seamless and sustainable connectivity across the country.