A stretch of the national highway that goes across the town of Cortes has been deemed dangerous for motorists passing through at night due to the absence of street lights in the 1.6-km portion of the road.

Tourists and motorists who passed by the area have raised concern over possible hazards of the extreme dimness prompting Cortes Mayor Iven Lim to request the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to install new lights in the area.

According to Lim, NAPOCOR officials have started to look into the installation of street lights along the road from Bacong Bridge to Abatan Bridge which had all of its lampposts damaged by the earthquake that jolted Bohol in 2013.

The mayor said that the lights will be operational within the week.

Previously, several vehicles have figured in accidents along the said stretch, driving the local government unit (LGU) of Cortes to expedite the rehabilitation.

Based on previous reports, there are a number of other LGUs that have the same problem with segments of roads in their areas of responsibility.

However, some municpal governments have refused to take action because of high costs of these projects and their maintenance.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has been urging concerned local officials to put up lampposts in dimly lit areas in their towns to prevent vehicular accidents.

Officials of the department have also previously noted that it will extend aid to LGUs that seek assistance in installing street lights. (Allen Doydora)