Safety concerns have been raised over the stairs at a flood control project in Barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City.
Even with the handrail, the unsually steep incline is making it difficult to go up or down the stairs.
The structure has received criticism online.
“Ambot niya nga straight man kayo bisan ikaw ang musaka maglisod gyud,” a resident said.
“Sukad-sukad murag karon pa pud ko kakita og ingon ani nga klase sa hagdanan nga murag alanganin kayo murag para sa akoa alanganin gyud isaka diha gyud,” another resident added.
It was learned that the stairs are part of Package 1 of the flood control project at the Umalag River implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Mindanao (DPWH-10).
NOT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC
DPWH-10 clarified that the stairs are not designed for public use but are meant exclusively for agency personnel tasked with monitoring the integrity of the dike structure.
The agency plans to put up a signage at the site to inform the public that the stairs are not for general use, especially that there are children who reportedly go up and down the stairs.
“Tanang flood control projects sa DPWH, tanan niya sakaanan, dili na siya intended sa public. So atong mga LGU o atong mga ginikanan nga naa sila mga bata nga magsaka-saka sa kanang flood control nga project sa DPWH, dapat pud sila sa ilang end mubadlong gyud sila kay dapat man gud dili siya sakaan sa public,” DPWH-10 Spokesperson, Novie Cabrido, said.
DPWH-10 added that the stairs were made steep in order to avoid encroaching on an adjacent road that was built first in the area.
The flood control project, which cost P144 million, was completed in February 2025.
“Mismo ang project engineer kabalo sila nga ang pagka-design sa hagdanan dili siya normal nga pa-slanting kay mao lagi dili maisbog ang project. Usually man gud, kung dili feasible ang project nga ibutang ana nga area, ginalahi ang project, gina-relocate kibali ang project sa lahi nga area,” Cabrido added.
The barangay council has yet to issue a statement, as of this writing.
