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The Philippine Ports Authority partially suspended the mandatory harbor pilotage requirement for the Amandayehan–Tacloban route
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This is intended to streamline vessel operations at the alternative route to San Juanico Bridge, which is now undergoing repairs
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Vessels operating along the Amandayehan-Tacloban route for the first time will still be required to engage harbor pilot services
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Succeeding trips will no longer require harbor pilot services if the vessel captain is determined capable of safely performing berthing and unberthing operations
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The partial suspension will remain in effect until further notice or until superseded by a new directive
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) partially suspended the mandatory harbor pilotage requirement for the Amandayehan–Tacloban route. The move is intended to streamline vessel operations at the alternative route to San Juanico Bridge now undergoing repairs.
Vessels operating along the Amandayehan-Tacloban route for the first time will still be required to engage the services of a duly accredited harbor pilot from the Tacloban District during docking and undocking operations, PPA said in a statement.
For succeeding trips and upon determination by the accompanying harbor pilot that the vessel captain can safely perform berthing and unberthing operations, pilotage will no longer be required regardless of whether the captain holds a valid Bay and River License issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The service of harbor pilots is compulsory for both international and domestic vessels pursuant to PPA Administrative Order No. 01-2025, or the Omnibus Guidelines on Harbor Pilots and Pilotage Services of 2025.
READ: PPA issues revised policy on pilots, pilotage services
The partial suspension will apply only to the Amandayehan-Tacloban route and only for vessels manned by captains who have completed the required initial pilotage-assisted trip to the satisfaction of the harbor pilot, PPA noted in an operations memorandum order.
PPA’s Port Management Office-Eastern Leyte/Samar is tasked to coordinate with harbor pilots and affected shipping lines to ensure proper implementation.
The partial suspension will remain in effect until further notice or until superseded by a new directive, PPA noted.
San Juanico Bridge has been closed to vehicles exceeding the 3-ton gross weight limit since mid-May due to structural integrity issues. The bridge is the only permanent land connection between Samar and Leyte and a key component of the Pan-Philippine Highway that links Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The weight restriction has affected connectivity between the provinces of Leyte and Samar, severely disrupting passenger and cargo traffic between the regions.
Amandayehan port, a fishing port in Basey, Samar, started handling cargoes on June 8 following emergency upgrading works completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VIII.
Five landing craft tanks are currently serving the Amandayehan-Tacloban route daily, PPA said.
Earlier the agency said it has allocated P410 million for the expansion and modernization of Amandayehan port, which will be turned over to the ports authority by the local government unit before year-end “to further equip the port for this transition and future larger operations.”
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.
The MARINA Region VIII (MRO VIII) recently 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.
Eastern Visayas has been placed under a state of calamity for one year starting June 5, 2025 to fast-track repair of San Juanico Bridge and mitigate its impact on communities in Samar and Leyte. – Roumina Pablo
