Operations at the newly-opened Port of Amandayehan in Basey, Samar are now in full-swing, just weeks after it was opened to remedy supply chain woes in Samar and Leyte caused by the closure of the San Juanico Bridge, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said on Wednesday.

There are no more long queues for port users because of the collective efforts of the Department of Transportation, its attached agencies PPA, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the local government of Tacloban, the provincial government of Samar, and the support of various shipping lines, PPA said in a statement.

The agency added that since the consecutive visits and inspection of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and PPA general manager Jay Santiago earlier this month, the Amandayehan port has successfully improved its service capacity.

As of 23 June, six landing craft transport (LCT) vessels are operating 24/7 between Tacloban port and Amandayehan port, ensuring uninterrupted cargo and passenger movement.

The PPA-funded installation of navigational aids has been completed as well, paving the way for smoother maritime traffic and heightened safety protocols in the area.

Prior to this, PPA-PCG-Marina also conducted 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, in which PCG committed to secure the queuing and investigate the matter.

“This is not only a quick fix to a transportation crisis, but a long-term investment in the connectivity and resilience of the Eastern Visayas region,” said Santiago, citing the P410 million budget drawn from the agency’s Corporate Operating Budget.

The upgrade includes the P200 million for port expansion, enabling Amandayehan to accommodate larger ro-ro and LCT; P100 million for dredging works to improve port depth and vessel maneuverability, and P100 million for the installation of 14 navigational buoys to enhance maritime safety, especially during night operations or inclement weather.

“The opening and upgrade of the Port of Amandayehan is a testament to what decisive leadership and inter-agency coordination can accomplish,” Santiago added.

He said that with a fully operational port, modern navigational systems, and 24/7 maritime services, “Amandayehan port is now ready to support economic growth and daily inter-island connectivity in the Visayas region.”