Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago conducted a critical joint inspection of port facilities following a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the Mindanao region.
The high-level assessment aimed to gauge the extent of infrastructure damage, prioritize immediate repair needs, and guarantee the swift, safe resumption of vital maritime operations.
During the site visit, Secretary Lopez issued an immediate directive for the rehabilitation of all compromised structures, emphasizing that the safety and uninterrupted travel of passengers and cargo transport stakeholders remain the department’s absolute priority.
“We must act with the utmost urgency to restore these facilities,” Secretary Lopez stated. “Our ports serve as vital lifelines for relief, commerce, and mobility. Immediate rehabilitation is non-negotiable to ensure they are safe and fully operational for the public.”
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago echoed this urgency, outlining the agency’s rapid-response strategy to minimize economic and travel disruptions in the affected areas.
“The PPA is fully mobilized to execute swift repairs,” GM Santiago said. “Our teams are working around the clock to minimize inconvenience to the public and maintain the high standard of service delivery that our communities depend on, especially in the wake of a major natural disaster.”
The critical assessment team also included Assistant General Manager for Finance, Legal, and Administration (AGMFLA) Atty. Elmer Nonnatus Cadano; Assistant General Manager for Operations (AGMO) Atty. Mark Jon Palomar; and Assistant General Manager for Engineering (AGME) Engr. James Gantalao, alongside other key PPA technical officials.
Moving forward, the DOTr and PPA are reinforcing their collaborative framework to not only restore the region’s affected maritime gateways but also to permanently fortify the nation’s port infrastructure against future seismic events and strengthen comprehensive disaster response readiness.
