A trip to the historic Cape Bojeador lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte has now become safer and easier following the completion of an access road and installation of at least 29 solar-powered streetlights.

“This upgrade, spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) –Ilocos Norte First District Engineering Office, significantly enhances nighttime safety and convenience for both locals and tourists,” Esperanza Tinaza, DPWH Region information officer, said in a statement on Monday.

The DPWH funded the project with around PHP4.7 million sourced from 2025 General Appropriations Act.

Before the completion of the project, access to the lighthouse was through a narrow two-lane road that climbed up a steep hill.

As part of the Marcos administration’s initiative to enhance road safety, the DPWH–Ilocos Norte First Engineering District led by engineer Glenn Miguel spearheaded the improvement of the road and environment-friendly lighting system.

Tinaza said that through the improvement of road access and solar lighting installation, the quality of life of the lighthouse’s surrounding community has improved, providing them a clean, reliable, and sustainable light source while reducing road crash accidents.

“As a landmark of Spanish-colonial architecture and a major tourist attraction in Ilocos Norte, Cape Bojeador lighthouse holds a historical and cultural value that continues to captivate both domestic and international visitors,” she said.

The road and lighting improvements not only support the tourism sector but also highlight the region’s dedication to heritage preservation and responsible development, she added.

According to the DPWH, the completion of the project stands as a testament to the government’s firm commitment to sustainable infrastructure, clean energy adoption, and inclusive community advancement in Burgos town and the wider Ilocos Norte region.

Before, locals passing through the area when they went out fishing at night used kerosene lamps, compromising both their health and safety while hindering efforts toward sustainable progress.

“We are thankful for the project. We feel safer now with a well-lit road when we pass by the Burgos lighthouse,” Jaycris Dugay, a resident of Brgy. Bayog in Burgos town, said. (PNA)