The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the continuous and unimpeded movement of essential commodities, particularly perishable goods, to sustain food security and supply chain stability in Tacloban and Samar Provinces. This assurance comes amidst the implementation of limited access on the San Juanico Bridge.
Following a direct order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to government agencies, the DOTr and PPA are working collaboratively to guarantee the timely delivery of vital goods and services and to restore regional interconnectivity between the two provinces.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago has issued strict instructions to all port terminals under the PPA’s jurisdiction to prioritize the movement of perishable materials. This includes goods under the care of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
“As far as the PPA is concerned, our role is to ensure the free flow of cargo—that our logistics chain is not disrupted,” explained GM Santiago. “My standing order to our port terminals, not just in Tacloban or Samar, is that any perishable material, products under the management of the Department of Agriculture, or products from DSWD or the Office of Civil Defense, are priorities. We are expediting the movement of these products.”
To further address the transport disruption, the expanded Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, and the Tacloban Port will now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, serving both passengers and truckers.
GM Santiago expressed optimism that these measures would alleviate the burden on residents. “Hopefully, as the situation normalizes, our countrymen in Leyte and Samar will be able to breathe a little easier, and the supply of basic necessities like crude oil, gasoline, and food will stabilize,” he stressed.
The DOTr and PPA remain dedicated to supporting the welfare of the affected communities by maintaining a robust and responsive supply chain, ensuring that essential goods reach those who need them most.
