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Operations at Amandayehan port in Basey, Samar are now in full swing with six landing craft tank vessels actively operating 24/7
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The Philippine Ports Authority said long queues and waiting time for users are no more, with six landing craft tank vessels currently operating between Tacloban port and Amandayehan port
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The installation of navigational aids has also been completed
Operations at Amandayehan port in Basey, Samar are now in full swing with six landing craft tank (LCT) vessels operating 24/7, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said in a statement.
The port commenced full operations on June 23, less than a month after it opened on June 8 as an alternate gateway to San Juanico Bridge. The bridge had been closed to vehicles exceeding the 3-ton gross weight since mid-May to make way for its rehabilitation.
PPA said there are no more long queues and waiting time for users with six LCT vessels currently operating between Tacloban port and Amandayehan port.
The installation of navigational aids, funded by PPA, have also been completed. The navigational aids are part of PPA’s P410 million expansion and modernization project for Amandayehan port, which also include the P100 million dredging works, and P200 million for physical expansion, enabling it to handle more vessels and cargo volume.
READ: PPA allots P410M for Amandayehan port expansion
Aside from these, PPA said it also conducted, together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), 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. PPA said PCG had committed to investigate the matter and also secure queuing in these areas.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier recommended Amandayehan port, a fishing port managed by the local government unit and not under PPA jurisdiction, as an alternate for those affected by the weight limit at San Juanico Bridge.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the port is expected to play a vital role as an alternate transport hub, providing a shorter route for heavy vehicles between Samar and Leyte.
The weight restriction on San Juanico Bridge has affected connectivity between the provinces of Leyte and Samar, disrupting passenger and cargo traffic between the regions.
The port started handling cargoes on June 8 following emergency upgrading works completed by DPWH Region VIII.
The turnover of Amandayehan port from the local government unit to PPA is also being finalized before year-end “to further equip the port for this transition and future larger operations.”
PPA earlier said this “goes beyond providing a short-term solution to the effects of the San Juanico Bridge restrictions and that Visayas operations will continue unimpeded.”
Aside from Amandayehan port, other ports identified as alternate routes for vehicles avoiding the San Juanico Bridge include Calbayog Port, Maguino-o Port, Catbalogan Port, in Samar; Tacloban Port, Ormoc Port, Palompon Port, Calubian Port, Hilongos Port, in Leyte; Biliran Port in Naval, Biliran, and
Maasin Port in Southern Leyte; Tandayag port and Tambobo Bay port in Negros Oriental.
MARINA Region VIII (MRO VIII) also temporarily relaxed shipping schedules within its jurisdiction from June 4 to July 4 to accommodate the increased volume of passengers and cargoes in the area due to the load limit and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge.
Aside from the relaxation of shipping schedules, MRO VIII earlier issued special shipping permits to ALD Sea Transport, Seen Sam Shipping, Inc., and Sunline Shipping Corp. to operate eight more vessels in four routes connecting Calbayog City, Samar-Ormoc City, Leyte, and Cebu province.
