The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), is accelerating efforts to boost roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) connectivity in Eastern Visayas, with a focus on expanding operations at Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago joined Transport Secretary Vince Dizon last week in inspecting key port facilities in the region, including the Amandayehan Port, which is currently owned and managed by the local government of Basey.
The inspection followed a visit to Tacloban City and a crossing of the iconic San Juanico Bridge.
“Noong nakaraang Linggo, kasama po natin si Transport Sec. Vince Dizon para mag-inspeksyon sa Tacloban at tumawid tayo sa San Juanico Bridge… May isa pong pantalan po diyan na Amandeyahan Port na kasalukuyang pagmamay-ari at minamanage ng munisipyo ng Basey sa Samar,” Santiago said.
While the port was not fully ready during the visit, Santiago noted that the local government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are actively working to ensure the readiness of Amandayehan Port for expanded RORO operations along the Tacloban–Amandeyahan route.
Currently, he said that two RoRo vessels are operating on the route, but Secretary Dizon has directed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to recruit more operators to scale up services.
“Nag-utos si Sec. Vince Dizon sa MARINA na maghanap pa at mag-enganyo pa ng mga RORO operators para madagdagan pa ang biyahe doon,” Santiago added, revealing that the current operator has committed to deploying two additional vessels, potentially bringing the total to four within the week.
The increase in RoRo capacity is expected to ease traffic congestion significantly.
According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), approximately 1,400 light vehicles pass through the area daily. Two RORO vessels can handle around 200 vehicles a day, and the addition of two more could double this capacity to 400–600 vehicles.
“Sa amin pong tala, sa dalawang RORO na kasalukuyang bumibiyahe, makakabawas po tayo ng 200 kada araw… kaya kailangan medyo tayo sa direktiba ni Secretary Dizon,” Santiago said, adding that discussions are underway to transfer port management from the Basey local government to the PPA for future expansion and modernization.
He further discuseed that they conduct a meeting with the Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez noted that the port currently accommodates vehicles weighing up to 3 tons.
However, ongoing DPWH rehabilitation efforts may increase this limit to 10 tons by year-end.
He emphasized the need to reassess the structural integrity of the San Juanico Bridge, suggesting consultations with the original engineers, especially since larger vehicles such as tankers and delivery trucks typically weigh between 10 to 15 tons.
“Inaanticipate ng DPWH daw kapag tumuloy na ang kanilang unti-unting rehabilitation ay baka maka-accommodate na ng vehicles weighing 10 tons,” Romualdez said.
Meanwhile, the PPA continues to report strong financial performance. It recently ranked as the fourth highest dividend contributor among over 50 government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), remitting P5.2 billion to the National Treasury.
According to the Department of Finance (DOF), GOCCs have collectively turned over more than P76 billion in dividends as of May 15.
Under Republic Act No. 7656, GOCCs are required to remit at least 50% of their net earnings to the National Government.
