List of lighthouses in the Philippines

With the Philippine Archipelago comprising over 7,100 islands packed in an area of 300,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi), the country has 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]

The Philippine Archipelago

Eleven of the largest islands of the 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] Regardless of the advancement in technology and the use of satellite-guided positioning devices, mariners still rely on these light stations as visual confirmations of their electronic readings.[4]

As an archipelago, the future and progress of the islands has and will always depend on 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

The following is a list of historical and notable lighthouses constructed in the Philippines.[5][6][7][8]

Lighthouse Location Province/City Date First Lit Tower height
in ft (m)
Focal plane
in ft (m)
Current Status Current Condition/ Description[6][7][9]
Apo Reef (1)SablayanOccidental Mindoro1906&&&&&&&+118 ft (36.0 m)&&&&&&&+134 ft (40.8 m)NonextantReplaced with a new modern white tower.
Apo Reef (2)SablayanOccidental Mindoro1990s&&&&&&&+110 ft (33.5 m)&&&&&&&+115 ft (35.0 m)ActiveGood
Apunan PointRomblonRomblon1930&&&&&&&&+62 ft (19 m)&&&&&&&&+98 ft (30 m)ActiveGood
Bagacay Point (1)LiloanCebu1874&&&&&&&&+21 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 (2)LiloanCebu1905&&&&&&&&+72 ft (21.9 m)&&&&&&&+146 ft (44.5 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were recently replaced.
Bagatao IslandMagallanesSorsogon1904&&&&&&&&+29 ft (8.8 m)&&&&&&&+135 ft (41.1 m)ActiveOriginal lamp was replaced with a solar-powered modern lamp.
Baliguian Island LightBaliguian IslandIloilo1916&&&&&&&&+66 ft (8.8 m)&&&&&&&&+75 ft (41.1 m)ActiveUnknown, as Baliguian was heavily damaged by Typhoon Haiyan.
BascoNaidi Hills, BascoBatanes2003&&&&&&&&+66 ft (20.1 m)n/aActiveGood
Batag IslandLaoangNorthern Samar1907&&&&&&&+101 ft (30.8 m)&&&&&&&+313 ft (95.4 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 PointAroroyMasbate1902&&&&&&&&+49 ft (14.9 m)&&&&&&&+218 ft (66.4 m)InactiveA modern white tower was erected close to the old one. The old tower and keeper's house are in poor condition.
Caballo IslandCaballo IslandCavite1853&&&&&&&&+11 ft (3.4 m)&&&&&&&&+96 ft (29.3 m)UnknownThe light station was probably destroyed during WWII.
Cabra IslandLubangOccidental Mindoro1889&&&&&&&&+67 ft (20.4 m)&&&&&&&+216 ft (65.8 m)InactiveA modern white tower was erected close to the old one The old tower and keeper's house are in poor condition.
Cape BojeadorBurgosIlocos Norte1892&&&&&&&&+66 ft (20.1 m)&&&&&&&+386 ft (117.7 m)ActiveOriginal lamp was replaced after it was damaged by the 1990 earthquake.
Cape BolinaoBolinaoPangasinan1906&&&&&&&+101 ft (30.8 m)&&&&&&&+294 ft (89.6 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were replaced.
Cape EngañoPalaui Island,
Santa Ana
Cagayan1892&&&&&&&&+47 ft (14.3 m)&&&&&&&+316 ft (96.3 m)ActiveOriginal lantern room is missing and the buildings are in ruins.
Cape MelvilleBalabac IslandPalawan1892&&&&&&&&+90 ft (27.4 m)&&&&&&&+297 ft (90.5 m)ActiveThe tower still retains its original First-order lens and mechanisms.
Cape SantiagoCalataganBatangas1890&&&&&&&&+51 ft (15.5 m)&&&&&&&&+89 ft (27.1 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were replaced.
Capitancillo IslandBogo CityCebu1905&&&&&&&&+83 ft (25.3 m)&&&&&&&&+98 ft (29.9 m)ReplacedOld tower was replaced with a new white tower and the dwellings are in ruins.
Capones IslandSan AntonioZambales1890&&&&&&&&+65 ft (19.8 m)&&&&&&&+230 ft (70.1 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern room were replaced. Tower is in good condition, keeper's house is deteriorating.
Capul IslandCapulNorthern Samar1896&&&&&&&&+39 ft (11.9 m)&&&&&&&+142 ft (43.3 m)ActiveThe tower were recently renovated and the original lamp and lantern were replaced.
Corregidor Island (1)Corregidor IslandCavite1853&&&&&&&&+42 ft (12.8 m)&&&&&&&+630 ft (192.0 m)ReplacedDamaged by the bombings of World War II.
Corregidor Island (2)Corregidor IslandCavite1950&&&&&&&&+48 ft (14.6 m)&&&&&&&+633 ft (192.9 m)ActiveGood
Gorda PointSan AgustinRomblon1930&&&&&&&&+62 ft (19 m)&&&&&&&+213 ft (65 m)ActiveGood
Jintotolo IslandBaludMasbate1903&&&&&&&&+51 ft (15.5 m)&&&&&&&+187 ft (57.0 m)ActiveOnly the tower is in good condition, the original light and lantern were replaced.
Linao PointAparriCagayan1896&&&&&&&&+30 ft (9.1 m)&&&&&&&&+37 ft (11.3 m)In ruinsThe station was destroyed during a storm, and some of the ruins remain on the beach.
Lusaran Point
Guisi Point Lighthouse
Nueva ValenciaGuimaras1894&&&&&&&&+38 ft (11.6 m)&&&&&&&+111 ft (33.8 m)ReplacedThe original lamp and lantern is gone, the iron tower is all rust and the surrounding buildings in ruins.
Malabrigo PointLoboBatangas1896&&&&&&&&+56 ft (17.1 m)&&&&&&&+184 ft (56.1 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern were replaced.
Maniguin IslandCulasiAntique1906&&&&&&&&+97 ft (29.6 m)&&&&&&&+191 ft (58.2 m)InactiveReplaced with a nearby white tower; Date is not available.
Pasig River Light (1)BinondoManila1846&&&&&&&&+49 ft (14.9 m)&&&&&&&&+52 ft (15.8 m)DemolishedDemolished and replaced in 1992.
Pasig River Light (2)BinondoManila1992&&&&&&&&+46 ft (14.0 m)&&&&&&&&+43 ft (13.1 m)ActiveGood
Poro Point LightSan Fernando CityLa Union1885&&&&&&&&+76 ft (23.7 m)&&&&&&&+107 ft (32.6 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 IslandBulusanSorsogon1896&&&&&&&&+39 ft (11.9 m)&&&&&&&+136 ft (41.5 m)ActiveOriginal lamp and lantern were replaced and when tower was renovated. Other buildings are in disrepair.
San Nicholas Shoals LightRosarioCavite1879&&&&&&&&+30 ft (9.1 m)&&&&&&&&+30 ft (9.1 m)ReplacedDestroyed by a typhoon in 1881
Sibago IslandTuburanBasilan1915&&&&&&&&+75 ft (22.9 m)&&&&&&&+705 ft (214.9 m)ActiveGalvanized metal tower. Deactivated on Oct. 31, 2001[10]
Siete PecadosBuenavistaGuimaras1884&&&&&&&&+21 ft (6.4 m)&&&&&&&&+89 ft (27.1 m)ActiveA new tower was erected next to the old one. Original structure is still maintained.
Tanguingui IslandBantayanCebu1903&&&&&&&+113 ft (34.4 m)&&&&&&&+128 ft (39.0 m)ReplacedThe original black steel tower was replaced with a new white tower. Dwellings are in ruins.

See also

  • Lists of lighthouses and lightvessels

References

  1. Central Intelligence Agency. "Geography of the Philippines" . The World Factbook. Retrieved on 2011-04-06.
  2. Department of Commerce, "Commerce Reports", p. 1052. Washington Government Printing Office, 1917.
  3. Villalon, Augusto (2007-07-27). Adopt a Lighthouse" Archived 2012-08-04 at the Wayback Machine. Inquirer.net. Retrieved on 2011-04-05.
  4. Philippine Coast Guard, "Maritime Safety"
  5. U.S. Hydrographic Office, "List of Lights, Vol.2", p.74. Washington Government Printing Office, 1920.
  6. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Northern Philippines". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  7. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Central Philippines". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  8. "Lighthouse Depot Explorer" Archived 2011-01-02 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved on 2010-03-20.
  9. M. Noche, "Lonely Sentinels of the Sea: The Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines". U.S.T. Publishing House, 2005.
  10. Philippine Coast Guard. Light Stations of Southwestern Mindanao Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
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