Basey: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Eastern Visayas has turned over 25 units of 500-watt solar lights to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to support the upcoming full operations of the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar. The initiative aims to enhance visibility, safety, and operational continuity within the port premises, especially during night operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the donation was made in response to the ongoing weight limitations imposed on the San Juanico Bridge, which resulted in a surge of rerouted cargo traffic through the Amandayehan Port. OCD Eastern Visayas regional director Lord Byron Torrecarion highlighted the importance of these solar lights in supporting the PPA and other stakeholders to ensure the uninterrupted movement of essential goods and services in Eastern Visayas.

The contractor tasked with improving the Amandayehan Port has been working efficiently to make the wharf functional this week, amid the San Juanico Bridge crisis. The improvement efforts are focused on strengthening and expanding the ramps to facilitate easier loading and unloading of wheeled vehicles, particularly during high tide.

On May 25, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon urged officials in Eastern Visayas to operationalize the Amandayehan Port within two weeks to address logistical challenges posed by the San Juanico Bridge load limit. This directive aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to ensure the uninterrupted movement of supplies between Leyte and Samar provinces.

Travel between Tacloban City and Amandayehan Port takes less than 30 minutes. Currently, truckers and cargo vehicles are using the Maguino-o and Calbayog ports to reach a private port in Ormoc City as alternative routes. The travel time between these ports using a roll-on, roll-off route is 13 hours, with the rate ranging from PHP15,000 to more than PHP20,000 per cargo truck.