After a PHP410-million upgrade, the Port of Amandayehan in Basey, Samar, is now in fully operational, ending the long queues and waiting time for port users caused by the closure of San Juanico Bridge, which connects Southern Luzon to the Eastern Visayas region, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced.
As of June 21, 2025, the Amandayehan port has commenced full time operations with six LCT vessels now actively operating 24/7. LCT or landing craft transport are vessels specifically designed for transporting cargo.
“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 PHP410 million budget drawn from the agency’s Corporate Operating Budget.
The upgrade includes:
-PHP200 million for port expansion, enabling Amandayehan to accommodate larger RoRo and Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels
-PHP100 million for dredging works to improve port depth and vessel maneuverability
-PHP100 million for the installation of 14 navigational buoys to enhance maritime safety, especially during night operations or inclement weather.
The Amandayehan port has successfully improved its service capacity. Currently, six 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.
PPA said the full maximization of Amandayehan port was achieved through the collective efforts of other government agencies – the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Local Government of Tacloban, the Provincial Government of Samar – and the support of various shipping lines.
Prior to this, PPA-PCG-MARINA also conducted a consultative forum in response to the alleged “palakasan” system and illegal collection of fees raised by port users in Guiuan, Borongan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Manguinoo, Carigara and Tolosa, in which PCG committed to secure the queuing and investigate the matter.
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.
