NEWS

By Mary Joy Salcedo | INQUIRER.net | November 11, 2025

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspected the Pio Duran Port in Albay on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Uwan. (Photo from DOTr / screengrab)

MANILA, Philippines — Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the rapid construction of a new pier at Pio Duran Port in Albay after the current one was damaged due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Uwan (international name: Fung-wong).

During his inspection of the port on Tuesday, Lopez said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) should quickly build a new and wider pier and its road connector, as about 30 cargo trucks going to Masbate arrive here to ride boats everyday.

The acting chief of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) likewise noted that the pier is a big deal for passengers and residents, since it is one of the municipality’s trade and business centers.

“We need to immediately restore the operation of this port,” Lopez pointed out, as cited in the DOTr’s Facebook post.

“It is important that we expedite the construction of the expanded pier because we will connect it to the road to make it accessible to cargo and passengers,” he added.

Aside from this, Lopez also ordered the PPA to construct the Philippine Coast Guard Law Enforcement Building for the rapid response to maritime emergencies and security.

Last weekend, Uwan — which developed into a super typhoon — devastated various provinces in the country, including Albay.

Another infrastructure project damaged in the province due to the tropical cyclone was the passenger terminal building at the Bicol International Airport, which was also inspected by Lopez.

Uwan exited the Philippine area of responsibility early morning this Tuesday.

Source: Inquirer.Net