MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is bidding out P246 million worth of lighthouse equipment, a project that will modernize a total of 143 light stations in various parts of the country.
The DOTC said the upgraded lighthouses are important aids to navigation because these work ''as visual guides to ports and harbors especially for boats of fisherfolks and even for larger types of vessels already equipped with global positioning system.
This further ensures the DOTC's commitment for convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe sea transport in the Philippines.
On top of the purchase list are the 55 primary light emitting diode (LED) lanterns, 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 procurement. In addition, 120 units of mono-crystalline solar panel to power the LED lanterns will be bidded out.
The equipment will be distributed in lighthouses all over the country.
In Luzon: 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.
In Visayas: Antique, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Northern Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
In Mindanao: 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 DOTC is bidding out these navigation (ATON) equipment via the bulk purchase system to procure the items at competitive prices.
The Philippine Coast Guard, which is tasked to operate government-owned light houses in the country, will soon come up with a separate bidding for the civil works needed for the construction and rehabilitation of 194 light houses.
Lighthouses are helpful reminder of dangerous waters. In the event that an electronic navigation system fails, a lighthouse can save lives by alerting seafarers and fishermen of rocks, shoals, and other dangers.
They are used for warning ships at night or in heavy fog that they are nearing land, preventing ships not to wreck or get grounded in shallow waters. Pilots of small aircraft also use lighthouses as a key landmark or frame of reference when they do not use electronic guidance systems.
