San juan: The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has reported significant improvements in vehicle movement and logistics efficiency in ports near the San Juanico Bridge, following strategic interventions to address congestion issues caused by the bridge's load limit.
According to Philippines News Agency, ship calls between the ports of Tacloban and Amandayehan from June to November 2025 reached a total of 2,632, with 7,256 rolling cargo units or trucks being transported during this period. As of December 29, 2025, monitoring reports confirmed the normalization of traffic conditions, with no truck queues observed along the Tacloban Bypass Road and Amandayehan Port.
The improved traffic flow was attributed to the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) implementation of a two-way increased load limit on the San Juanico Bridge, allowing vehicles with a gross weight of up to 15 tons to cross starting December 12, 2025. This change followed a load limit imposed on May 16, 2025, which had caused significant congestion along major access roads in Leyte and Samar, disrupting the movement of commercial vehicles and essential goods.
In response to a government directive to establish an alternative route, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago ordered an assessment of available port facilities. This assessment identified the port of Amandayehan in Basey, Samar, as a strategically viable interim alternative due to its location and proximity to Tacloban Port. To facilitate increased cargo and vessel traffic, the PPA allocated over PHP400 million from its corporate operating budget for targeted infrastructure interventions in Amandayehan Port.
The interventions included physical port expansion works to accommodate RoRo and Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels, dredging activities to improve navigational depth, and the installation of navigational aids to ensure safe and continuous maritime operations, particularly during nighttime and adverse weather conditions. The agency also collaborated with the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, DPWH, and local government units to implement interim port operations.
Organized truck queuing and traffic management systems were established on both the Tacloban and Basey sides to regulate port access, loading, and unloading activities, preventing spillback along major road networks. On average, four vessels were deployed daily along the Tacloban-Amandayehan route, transporting about 800 cargo trucks per day through the interim link.
The PPA emphasized its commitment to strengthening transport system resilience through sustained port modernization, adaptive operational planning, and continued inter-agency coordination to support efficient, safe, and reliable maritime connectivity nationwide.
