Lauis Ledge not in priority list for new lighthouse

CEBU, Philippines - Putting up a lighthouse at the Lauis Ledge in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City where a maritime accident occurred recently killing at least 109 people was not in the list of priorities of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, said that the area was not in the priority list. The Talisay City Council earlier passed a resolution requesting the PCG to put up a light house in Lauis Ledge following the collision of a passenger vessel and a cargo ship in August.

But Isorena said the DOTC has already identified 33 areas nationwide to be built a light house and Lauis Ledge in Tangke, Talisay was not one of those.

According to Isorena, the construction of the 33 lighthouses worth P97.65 million is already scheduled for bidding. Although, he said the area might be included in the planning for the next set of lighthouses provided that it meets the criteria prescribed by the PCG Memorandum Circular 12-93. 

Under the circular, the lighthouse will be constructed for as long as the volume of traffic must be at least 50-water craft plying the locality; the lot where the lighthouse will be constructed must be donated first in favor of the government, unless a government site is available and agreement between coast guard and local officials will be executed to define each responsibility regarding the newly established light stations or aids to navigation. 

Isorena said he already instructed the district commander in Central Visayas to inspect the site and closely coordinate with the local government. 

The DOTC proposes three kinds of lighthouses to be built - an 18-meter concrete, a 12-meter concrete, and a 10-meter pole-beam type.

Talisay City Councilor Antonio Bacaltos Jr., author of the resolution, said a lighthouse could prevent accidents like the collision between the MV St. Thomas Aquinas of 2GO Shipping Lines and MV Sulpicio Express Siete of the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp last August.

Bacaltos said that based on Republic Act 8979 or the Talisay City charter, the city must adopt measures to protect its inhabitants from the harmful effects of man-made or natural disasters.  (FREEMAN)