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List of lighthouses in the Philippines

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The Philippine Archipelago

As a country comprising over 7,100 islands packed in an area of 300,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi) and having the fifth-longest coastline in the world, the Philippine coast has a total length of 36,289 km (22,549 mi) and is very irregular, with numerous bays, gulfs, and islets.[1] Eleven of the largest islands of the Philippine archipelago are the major islands and main centers of population, with ten of its most populous cities located along the coast; approximately 1,000 of the smaller islands are also populated. With more than 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) of coasting routes and tortuous channels regularly navigated by vessels trading among some 300 separate ports, navigation aids like lighthouses help mariners against misnavigation and guide them to safety and out of danger from grounding on its treacherous reef and shoals.[2]

Large international ships rely on lighthouses to guide them safely out from the open sea and into Philippine waters. Once within Philippine waters, lighthouses help them maneuver through its narrow straits and channels, pointing out safe passages and leading vessels to their destination ports.[3] Although there are electronic navigation systems, lighthouses are still important in warning seafarers of dangerous waters in case of failure of these electronic systems.[4]

As an archipelago, the continuous development and prosperity of the country is linked to maritime travel. Even with the advent of aviation, the water routes continue to be the main highways for travel and commerce, with the lighthouses of the Philippines safely guiding the vessels that ply its routes.

List of lighthouses in the Philippines

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The following is a list of historical and notable lighthouses constructed in the Philippines.[5][6][7]

Lighthouse Image Location Province First lit Tower height Focal plane Current status Description[6][8]
Apo Reef Light Edit this on WikidataApo ReefOccidental Mindoro33.5 m (110 ft)35 m (115 ft)NonextantReplaced with a new modern white tower.
Apo Reef lighthouse Edit this on WikidataSablayanOccidental Mindoro1990s110 ft (34 m)115 ft (35 m)ActiveGood
Apunan Point lighthouse Edit this on WikidataRomblonRomblon193062 ft (19 m)98 ft (30 m)ActiveGood
Bagacay Point Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCatarmanCatarman187421 ft (6.4 m)46 ft (14 m)In ruinsPartly in ruins but it is the oldest existing lighthouse tower in the Philippines.
Bagacay Point Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCatarmanCatarman1905, 190872 ft (22 m)44 m (144 ft)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were recently replaced.
Bagatao Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataMagallanesMagallanes, Sorsogon190429 ft (8.8 m)135 ft (41 m)ActiveOriginal lamp was replaced with a solar-powered modern lamp.
Baliguian Island Light Edit this on WikidataBaliguian IslandIloilo191666 ft (20 m)75 ft (23 m)ActiveUnknown, as Baliguian was heavily damaged by Typhoon Haiyan.
Basco Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBasco, BatanesBasco, Batanes200320 m (66 ft)20 m (66 ft)ActiveGood
Batag Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataLaoangLaoang2000, 190730.8 m (101 ft)313 ft (95 m)In ruinsA white 66 ft (20 m) cylindrical tower was erected close to the old one. The lantern and light in the old tower is gone.
Bugui Point Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataAroroyAroroy1 Dec 190215 m (49 ft)InactiveA modern white tower was erected close to the old one. The old tower and keeper's house are in poor condition.
Caballo Island lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCaballo IslandCavite185311 ft (3.4 m)96 ft (29 m)UnknownThe light station was probably destroyed during WWII.
Cabra Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataLubangOccidental Mindoro1 Mar 188920 m (66 ft)66 m (217 ft)InactiveA modern white tower was erected close to the old one The old tower and keeper's house are in poor condition.
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBurgosBurgos, Ilocos Norte189220 m (66 ft)118 m (387 ft)ActiveOriginal lamp was replaced after it was damaged by the 1990 earthquake.
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBolinaoBolinao, Pangasinan190627 m (89 ft), 101 ft (31 m)89 m (292 ft)[9]ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were replaced.
Cape Engaño Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataPalaui IslandSanta Ana, Cagayan189214 m (46 ft)100 m (330 ft)ActiveOriginal lantern room is missing and the buildings are in ruins.
Cape Melville Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBalabac IslandBalabac, Palawan189220 m (66 ft), 90 ft (27 m)90 m (300 ft), 297 ft (91 m)ActiveThe tower still retains its original First-order lens and mechanisms.
Cape Santiago Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCalataganCalatagan189015.5 m (51 ft)27 m (89 ft)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were replaced.
Capitancillo Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCapitancilloOdlot1990, 190525 m (82 ft), 83 ft (25 m)30 m (98 ft), 98 ft (30 m)ReplacedOld tower was replaced with a new white tower and the dwellings are in ruins.
Capones Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataSan AntonioSan Antonio, Zambales189020 m (66 ft)74 m (243 ft)[9]ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were replaced. Tower is in good condition, keeper's house is deteriorating.
Capul Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCapulCapul, Northern Samar189612 m (39 ft)43 m (141 ft)ActiveThe tower were recently renovated and the original lamp and lantern were replaced.
Corregidor Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCaviteCavite185318 m (59 ft), 42 ft (13 m)195 m (640 ft), 630 ft (190 m)ReplacedDamaged by the bombings of World War II.
Corregidor Island lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCorregidorCavite195048 ft (15 m)633 ft (193 m)ActiveGood
Gorda Point Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataSan AgustinRomblon193062 ft (19 m)65 m (213 ft)[9], 213 ft (65 m)ActiveGood
Jintotolo Island lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBaludBalud190351 ft (16 m)187 ft (57 m)ActiveOnly the tower is in good condition, the original light and lantern were replaced.
Linao Point lighthouse Edit this on WikidataAparriCagayan189630 ft (9.1 m)37 ft (11 m)In ruinsThe station was destroyed during a storm, and some of the ruins remain on the beach.
Lusaran Point lighthouse Edit this on WikidataNueva ValenciaGuimaras189438 ft (12 m)111 ft (34 m)ReplacedThe original lamp and lantern is gone, the iron tower is all rust and the surrounding buildings in ruins.
Malabrigo Point Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataLoboCalabarzon, Lobo, Batangas189617 m (56 ft), 56 ft (17 m)56 m (184 ft)[9], 184 ft (56 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern were replaced.
Maniguin Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataCulasiCulasi, Antique190630 m (98 ft)58 m (190 ft)[9]InactiveReplaced with a nearby white tower; Date is not available.
Pasig River Light Edit this on WikidataSan NicolasManila1 Sep 184649 ft (15 m)51 ft (16 m), 53.3 ft (16.2 m)DemolishedDemolished and replaced in 1992.
Pasig River Light Edit this on WikidataBinondoManila199246 ft (14 m)43 ft (13 m)ActiveGood
Poro Point Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataSan FernandoSan Fernando, La Union188520 m (66 ft), 76 ft (23 m)33 m (108 ft), 107 ft (33 m)ActiveOriginal 20-meter steel tourelle replaced with 76-foot concrete tower in 1979. Lightkeeper's house built during American era is in ruin.
San Bernardino Island lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBulusanSorsogon189639 ft (12 m)136 ft (41 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern were replaced and when tower was renovated. Other buildings are in disrepair.
San Nicholas Shoals Light Edit this on WikidataRosarioCavite187930 ft (9.1 m)30 ft (9.1 m)ReplacedDestroyed by a typhoon in 1881
Sibago Island lighthouse Edit this on WikidataTuburanBasilan191575 ft (23 m)705 ft (215 m)ActiveGalvanized metal tower. Deactivated on October 31, 2001[10]
Siete Pecados lighthouse Edit this on WikidataBuenavistaGuimaras188421 ft (6.4 m)89 ft (27 m)ActiveA new tower was erected next to the old one. Original structure is still maintained.
Tanguingui Island Lighthouse Edit this on WikidataMadridejosMadridejos1994, 190334.5 m (113 ft)39 m (128 ft)ReplacedThe original black steel tower was replaced with a new white tower. Dwellings are in ruins.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Central Intelligence Agency. "Geography of the Philippines" . The World Factbook. Retrieved on April 6, 2011.
  2. ^ Department of Commerce, "Commerce Reports", p. 1052. Washington Government Printing Office, 1917.
  3. ^ Villalon, Augusto (July 27, 2007). Adopt a Lighthouse" Archived August 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Inquirer.net. Retrieved on April 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Santos, Matikas (August 3, 2012). "Coast Guard gets P246M for lighthouse upgrades". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  5. ^ U.S. Hydrographic Office, "List of Lights, Vol.2", p.74. Washington Government Printing Office, 1920.
  6. ^ a b Rowlett, Russ. "The Lighthouse Directory". University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  7. ^ "Lighthouse Depot Explorer" Archived January 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved on March 20, 2010.
  8. ^ M. Noche, "Lonely Sentinels of the Sea: The Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines". U.S.T. Publishing House, 2005.
  9. ^ a b c d e NGA List of Lights, Radio Aids and Fog Signals, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Wikidata Q13872896
  10. ^ Philippine Coast Guard. Light Stations of Southwestern Mindanao Archived October 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on May 17, 2010.
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