By Tracy Cabrera

DILIMAN, Quezon City — In a bid to upgrade inter-island travel and traffic of goods and trade networking, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) are set to fast-track maritime infrastructure projects in Matnog and Samar to expand their capacity and improve improve connectivity for passengers and cargo.

According to acting transportation secretary Giovanni 'Banong' Lopez and PPA general manager Jay Santiago, they have already assessed Matnog Port and the Port of Amandeyahan to evaluate terminal conditions and address the operational bottlenecks in both points.

Considering Matnog as a primary gateway for the Pan-Philippine Highway, the PPA will accelerate the Sorsogon RoRo Terminal Expansion Project, thus prioritizing the expansion of marshaling areas to increase vehicle holding capacity.

"This is designed to pull heavy traffic off public roads during peak travel seasons and it will include upgraded terminal facilities and improved traffic flow to reduce vessel turnaround time," Lopez pointed out.
On the other hand, the Port of Amandeyahan in Samar will be developed as a vital alternative docking facility.

Lopez noted that while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) handles road retrofitting, the DoTr and PPA are focusing on maritime readiness to ensure the uninterrupted flow of commuters and essential goods.

The PPA has issued a regulatory clarification regarding a proposed bridge project in the region. Port manager Diane Steffi Guillamon confirmed that the agency has not issued any clearance or approval for the specific bridge height discussed during a DPWH inspection last Febryary 2 the current year.

Santiago emphasized that the PPA is acting on a direct mandate from President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to make travel faster and safer even as she explained that current plans are tailored to handle high-volume surges in Matnog, shifting from temporary fixes to long-term infrastructure that supports the national logistics strategy and regional trade.