MANILA, Philippines – At least 112 lighthouses need to be repaired and rehabilitated, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.
PCG data showed Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao each have 20 defective lighthouses; Bicol region, 15; and Southern Tagalog, 13. Most of these lighthouses have defective batteries, lamp chargers and bulbs. Some of the lighthouses, such as those in northeastern Luzon, were damaged by the typhoons.
PCG officer-in-charge Rear Admiral William Melad said the PCG has undertaken a more aggressive campaign to repair the lighthouses since 2014. “If you will notice there has been an increase in our lighthouse efficiency. Some needed minor repairs and some needed structural repairs,” he said.
Melad said 80 percent of the lighthouses are now operational.