By LITO RULONA Correspondent COUNCILOR Zaldy Ocon and officials of the public works department on Wednesday argued on whether or not local officials were informed about national government-funded infrastructure projects in the city. This came after Ocon criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for allegedly implementing projects in the city without properly informing the city council. Ocon cited a drainage system project towards the Agora Road, saying that local officials were left in the dark. “Kinahanglan namo nga mahibaw-an asa ang dagan sa project. Kanang inyung drainage karon nga gi-construct along Agora Road wala kami gi-consult. This will affect the traffic flow, residents and the business sector,” said Ocon, chairman of the city council’s public works committee. Ocon cautioned the DPWH, saying that the mayor can order the project construction stopped for non-consultation. He said his committee already asked Mayor Oscar Moreno to stop the project. “It was only known nga duna diay mo’y project diha human sa dako nga baha sa Cagayan de Oro niadtong Jan. 16,” he said. Engr. Leowald Pecore, the DPWH representative, denied Ocon’s assertions even as he maintained that the DPWH has always been coordinating with city hall, through the mayor, whenever it implements projects in the city. Pecore said the drainage system project was discussed with local officials before it was implemented. DPWH lawyer Chiqui Tamala said the DPWH coordinated with the mayor, and it was their understanding that the city council was informed by the local executive. Ocon rejected Pecore’s explanation, citing Section 27 of the Local Government Code that provides that the city council must be informed before projects are implemented. “It is a big insult on my part being the chairman of this committee,” an angry Ocon said. “Kami ang gibirahan sa dakong baha. Kinahanglan gyud ang consultation.”