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The Department of Transportation and the Philippine Ports Authority have committed to accelerate port upgrades following inspections in Bicol and Samar
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Acting transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez and PPA general manager Jay Santiago led on-site assessments
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Inspections covered Matnog Port in Sorsogon and Port of Amandeyahan in Samar
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Planned upgrades include RoRo terminal expansion and larger marshaling areas
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Port improvements to be synchronized with road and bridge projects to boost connectivity
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PPA also clarified that it did not approve any bridge clearance or height for a project in Samar undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have committed to accelerate port improvement projects following on-site inspections led by Transportation acting secretary Giovanni Lopez and PPA general manager Jay Santiago in key gateway ports in Bicol and Samar.
Lopez and Santiago conducted a comprehensive inspection of Matnog Port in Sorsogon on February 1, 2026, followed by the Port of Amandeyahan in Samar on February 2, 2026, to personally assess passenger experience and port operations.
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The inspections formed part of a coordinated effort with national and local government units to deliver long-term, high-impact infrastructure projects, particularly the synchronized upgrading of ports and roads to improve connectivity and mobility in the Bicol and Samar areas.
At Matnog Port, officials observed operations firsthand and noted that the PPA already has plans in place to rehabilitate and modernize port facilities to reduce delays and enhance passenger comfort. Discussions included the Sorsogon RoRo Terminal Expansion Project and the proposed expansion of the back-up or marshaling area to increase vehicle holding capacity and improve traffic circulation and turnaround time within the port.
Santiago said the PPA is aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve travel efficiency and safety at major transport gateways.
“The PPA will comply with the President’s directive to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of passengers and cargo, particularly in key gateway ports like here in Matnog, which we all know gets a bit crowded during peak season,” Santiago said in a press release.
In Samar, Lopez underscored the administration’s focus on seamless maritime connectivity, emphasizing the need to address both passenger movement and the flow of goods alongside ongoing road and bridge projects.
Lopez emphasized the administration’s priority on seamless connectivity, noting that while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by secretary Vince Dizon is upgrading roads and bridges, the DOTr will likewise modernize ports and airports to ensure improved mobility.
“This way, we can achieve good connectivity and mobility not only for people, but more importantly for the movement of goods,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PPA clarified that it did not issue any clearance or grant approval for the construction or specific bridge height discussed during a separate inspection conducted by the DPWH chief on February 2, 2026.
According to the PPA, records show that the last official communication from DPWH district engineers was dated August 6, 2025, which only requested a joint inspection to assess an existing lighthouse structure under PPA jurisdiction near the proposed DPWH project. No subsequent or formal request for project clearance, bridge height approval, or construction authorization was submitted.
The DOTr and PPA said the inspections reflect a hands-on approach to governance aimed at crafting practical solutions and accelerating the delivery of port upgrades nationwide.
