{
  "id": 6776147,
  "title": "PPA orders rehab of risk-prone ports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/ppa-orders-rehab-of-risk-prone-ports",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/09/12/2555610/ppa-orders-rehab-risk-prone-ports"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is committed to enhancing the resilience of ports by increasing their ground levels and using more durable materials to withstand natural disasters, according to PPA general manager Jay Santiago. Santiago explained that the agency is implementing structural reforms on ports to protect them from heavy rainfall, strong waves, earthquakes, and typhoons, as they are responsible for receiving cargo ships carrying essential supplies during emergencies. The PPA is raising the deck and pavement capacities of ports to 750 pounds per square foot, or 3.6 tons per square meter, which is an improvement from the previous capacity of 500 pounds per square foot. However, the new capacity is still below the maximum limit of 1,000 pounds per square foot. Some piers and wharfs will be elevated to a height of 3.5 meters above mean lower low water (MLLW) from the current 3 meters, providing enhanced defense against coastal hazards. The breakwaters in ports exposed to the most storm surges, such as those in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, and Nasugbu, Batangas, will also be raised. In Bicol, a region frequently impacted by typhoons, the PPA uses reinforced concrete for constructing piers and wharfs to ensure structural strength against waves. Additionally, deflector walls are being built in backup areas where waves might overwhelm the ports, particularly in Legazpi, Albay, and Virac, Catanduanes. Santiago emphasized that the PPA's engineering teams are now more attuned to the topographical conditions of each port and adhere to the National Structural Code of the Philippines, considering seismic risks and wind loads in their designs. Given the Philippines' ranking as the most disaster-prone country, Santiago stressed the importance of improving public infrastructure like ports to make them more resilient. \"Our ports are not just places where travelers embark and disembark and cargoes are loaded and unloaded, because during disasters, they become even more critical since they facilitate passage of food, fuel, medical supplies, and relief goods,\" Santiago said. \"We continue to conduct drills, test different scenarios, strengthen coordination, and improve our infrastructure so when a disaster comes, ports can continue serving as safe and reliable lifelines for the country.\"",
  "summary": "The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has committed to elevate the resilience capacity of ports by raising their ground levels and turning to sturdier materials to survive calamities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}