PPA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS PORT OPERATIONS IN COASTAL AREAS DUE TO TSUNAMI RISKS

30 JULY 2025 – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) through the memorandum of PPA General Manager Jay Santiago today, July 30, 2025, has ordered the immediate implementation of precautionary measures in all potentially affected areas nationwide in response to the tsunami advisory issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), following the magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

As part of the safety protocol, all PPA Port Management Offices (PMOs) in identified high-risk provinces across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have been instructed to suspend all port operations involving passenger embarkation and disembarkation, as well as cargo handling, effective 12:00 noon on July 30, 2025, until further notice from PHIVOLCS.

Some of the affected provinces per PHILVOCS advisory are the following:

Luzon: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon

Visayas: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte

Mindanao: Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro

In coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, local government units, and terminal operators, PPA is closely monitoring sea-level disturbances to ensure public safety. Alerts have been issued to all vessels currently docked or approaching ports, advising them to move to deeper waters if necessary.

“We urge everyone to remain alert and cooperative as we work closely with our partner agencies to monitor the situation. The safety of our people is our utmost priority,” said PPA GM Santiago.

The public is also strongly advised to avoid beaches and coastal areas during the threat period. All floating equipment, small vessels, and vulnerable port assets are being secured, while emergency response teams have been placed on standby until PHIVOLCS officially declares the threat over.

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