DOTr Pushes 24-Hour Barge Operation
BASEY, Samar – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is urging a 24-hour barge operation between Basey, Samar, and Tacloban City to ease the long queues of cargo trucks. Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted the urgency of this move after witnessing a heavy backlog on both sides just a day after the Amandayehan Port began barge services.
Currently, the 24-hour barge operation runs on a limited 12-hour schedule, served only by Santa Clara Shipping Corp. and ALD Sea Transport. These companies operate from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., limiting the number of trips and contributing to the truck congestion.
Steps Toward 24-Hour Barge Operation
To enable round-the-clock service, the DOTr has directed the Philippine Coast Guard to install navigational buoys along the San Juanico Strait. These buoys will ensure safe nighttime roll-on, roll-off operations, aiming for full 24/7 service by midweek.
Additionally, two more shipping firms, Roble Shipping Inc. and GT Express Shipping Corp., have expressed interest in joining the route, which could further boost capacity and reduce delays.
Challenges and Progress
Secretary Dizon acknowledged the slow response despite the pressing need after the San Juanico Bridge crisis disrupted thousands of heavy vehicles bound for Luzon and Mindanao. “I find the response slow; now we must make it as fast as we can. The opening of a new route will somehow ease congestion,” he said.
During a follow-up visit to Amandayehan Port, the DOTr chief confirmed that improvements to the wharf for roll-on, roll-off operations were completed as scheduled. These upgrades were finished by June 6, within the 10 to 15-day timeline he set.
New Route Benefits
The Amandayehan-Tacloban route offers a faster alternative, cutting travel time to just 15 to 20 minutes, including loading and unloading. This contrasts sharply with the 13-hour Calbayog-Ormoc route.
With the current schedule, the barge can make up to 10 trips within 12 hours. Shipping companies prioritize trucks carrying dangerous, essential, and perishable goods on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure critical supplies move smoothly.
For more news and updates on transportation developments, visit Filipinokami.com.
