Adopt-a-lighthouse program launched

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is inviting private individuals, corporations and non-government organizations to adopt one of the country’s 558 lighthouses.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said at the launch of “Ilaw Mo, Buhay Ko” last week, “The project pays homage to the nation’s proud maritime heritage while at the same time moves forward to achieve state-of-the-art upgrade and maintenance of the archipelago’s aids to navigation.”

PCG spokesman Lt. Commander Arman Balilo said that of the 558 lighthouses situated all over the country, only 471 of them are working. The remaining 87 units, which have been vandalized or burglarized, their bulbs and batteries stolen, are in urgent need of adoption so these could be repaired and refurbished.

The PCG, which is mandated to operate the lighthouses, hired civilian personnel to man the lighthouses, but thieves and vandals sneak inside the towers when the lighthouse keepers go home.

They are looking for benefactors who have some personal connection to the areas where the lighthouses that they choose are located – such as if they have property in the area – so there would be a long-term commitment to the project. 

The PCG spokesman explained that “while the lighthouses may no longer be helpful big ships, they are still beneficial to small fishing vessels because the light coming from the lighthouses help them locate the shore and find their way home.”

Apart from function, lighthouses are also valuable for their history, since most of them were built during the Spanish or American eras. As such, they help increase tourism.

The PCG official said that the project was launched three years ago, but they had to put it on hold after questions were raised on the jurisdiction and ownership of some of the lighthouses. These issues have since been settled.

Those who adopt a lighthouse would only be concerned with the maintenance of the structures, as the PCG would handle the operation.

Tamayo said that the lighthouses are treasures and a source of national pride. “Renovating these century-old lighthouses and beacons back to their pristine glory recalls the heyday of the illustrious Spanish galleon trade between the Philippines and Mexico,” he added.

The PCG traces its beginnings to the lighthouse service that was manned by early Coast Guard lightkeepers.

Information about the program is available on the PCG website (www.coastguard.gov.ph) or call 527-3877 or 0917-PCG-DOTC (0917-7243682).