(FILE PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY – Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the immediate implementation of 24/7 barge operations between the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar and Tacloban Port to address mounting port congestion caused by the volume of trucks and cargo waiting to cross the San Juanico Strait.
“We will install the nighttime buoy by Wednesday. Hopefully by Thursday and Friday we can have 24/7 [operations],” Dizon said in an interview Sunday, June 8.
Dizon was in Amandayehan Port to inspect its operations which started Saturday, June 7.
The Philippine Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas has been directed to install the navigational buoys, which are essential for safe night-time operations. Buoys are floating devices used to mark navigation routes or warn of hazards at sea.
Currently, the newly opened barge route only operates from 5 am to 5 pm due to the absence of night navigation markers. The installation of the buoys will allow vessels to operate beyond daylight hours and help ease congestion more efficiently.
Three out of four shipping firms that applied to operate along the route have already begun service. These are the Santa Clara Shipping Corporation, with LCT Aldain Dowey, began operations on June 7; ALD Sea Transport, with LCT Poseidon 25, followed on June 8
GTExpress Shipping Corporation, with LCT GTExpress 2, started on June 9.
The Amandayehan Port became operational after Dizon, during his May 25 visit, ordered contractor Aqualine Construction to accelerate rehabilitation work and complete it within 10 to 14 days. The project was supervised by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with the provincial government of Samar.
Business leaders, particularly from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Tacloban-Leyte, welcomed the move, having long pushed for the route’s activation. They say the Amandayehan-Tacloban link provides a shorter and cheaper alternative for cargo transport—especially critical following the enforcement of load limits on the San Juanico Bridge, which bars vehicles exceeding three tons from crossing.
In a related development, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) regional office has relaxed shipping schedules amid the ongoing San Juanico Bridge restrictions.
In a June 4 memorandum, Marina-8 Director Cheryl Pascua authorized several temporary measures to ensure the timely movement of goods and passengers.
These include immediate departure of vessels upon reaching full passenger and cargo capacity; increased sailing frequencies; first-come, first-served boarding; and authorization for additional vessels to augment routes if current capacity is insufficient.
The advisory remains in effect until July 4, 2025.
Officials said these measures aim to prevent further economic disruption and ensure reliable, convenient, and continued public service during the load limitation period.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
