The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Mindanao (DPWH-10) has raised concerns after discovering that several metal pins used in a slope protection project in Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City have gone missing.

The metal pins were part of the mesh system slope protection installed on a roadside hill.

DPWH-10 said up to 17 individual metal plates and 30 pairs of plates and pins had disappeared, causing the wire mesh system slope protection to scour and separate from the ground.

According to DPWH-10 spokesperson, Novie Cabrido, the missing metal components could compromise the structural integrity of the slope protection.

“Ang structural integrity sa atoang slope protection dili na siya ingon ana ka kusgan,” Cabrido said.

DPWH-10 suspects that the materials were stolen as these could be sold at a high price.

“Ang initial investigation sa DPWH kay gikuha gyud siya, dili mi makabalo kung giunsa nila kay wala man gud siya nangahulog, kung nangahulog man galing makita mana sa silong kung naa. So wala siya nangahulog, so ang initial nga giingon sa mga engineer’s kay gihinay-hinay gyud siya og kuha,” Cabrido added.

The agency has already allocated a budget to repair the damage.

While waiting for repair works to start, warning signs have been placed around the site to alert the public while the agency continues to monitor the area to prevent accidents.

Cabrido also urged the public, especially residents nearby, to report suspicious activities.

“If ever naa’y uban nga mga residente nga makakita sila nga naa’y gapangawat labi na sa mga steel grating sa mga dalan kanang mga metal plate sa mga slope protection pwede sila mag-send og mensahe sa atong DPWH nga (social media) account,” Cabrido said.