MANILA, Philippines–Lighthouses across the country are set for upgrades as part of government efforts to make inter-island sea traffic in the Philippines safer and more convenient for travellers.
In a statement, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said it was bidding out P246 million worth of lighthouse equipment, a project that will modernize 143 light stations in different parts of the country.
“Upgraded lighthouses are important aids to navigation because these work as visual guides to ports and harbors specially for boats of fisher folks and even for larger types of vessels already equipped with global positioning system,” Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said.
This would ensure the DOTC’s commitment for “convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient and safe” sea transport in the Philippines, he said.
On top of the purchase list are the 55 primary light-emitting diode (LED) lanterns, each of which should have a luminous range reaching at least 18 nautical miles. Also to be procured are 84 secondary LED lanterns, which should have a luminous range of 15 nautical miles.
Additional five units of tertiary LED lanterns, with a range of seven nautical miles, are also included in the procure ment. In addition, 120 units of mono crystalline solar panel to power the LED lanterns will be bid out.
The DOTC said areas in Luzon that would get new equipment were Batanes, Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Catanduanes, Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon.
Lighthouses to be upgraded in the Visayas are those in Antique, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Northern Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
Meanwhile, In Mindanao, the beneficiaries are Pagadian City, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga Del Sur, Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Catarman, Samal, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Saranggani, Davao and South Cotabato.
The equipment will be acquired by the DOTC through the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG, which is tasked to operate government-owned lighthouses in the country, will soon come up with a separate bidding for the civil works needed for the construction and rehabilitation of 194 lighthouses.