AN EXECUTIVE of Hugpong Federal Inc. insisted that their cash for work program is legitimate and is actually backed by the national government.

Eldie Rotoras, Hugpong Federal director for Cagayan de Oro said in an interview said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao was misinformed about the cash for work program.

Rotoras said he was saddened upon learning that DOLE released the advisory without consulting them and hearing their side.

According to him, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol announced in a federalism forum here last year that the government is allocating P150 million for all its members nationwide to avail a livelihood program.

"Wala nahibalo ang DOLE in region 10 nga nia ni nga project because this is a grant from the national government. So ang role sa DOLE dito, they will distribute the cash once we have completed the requirements set by DOLE," Rotoras said.

In the advisory, DOLE regional director lawyer Joffrey Suyao said DOLE-10 has no participation in the alleged recruitment activities to avail for cash for work or livelihood programs.

Rotoras meanwhile acknowledged that the group offers identification cards for their members, but denied that it is compulsory.

He also said the group only asks P50 for the ID, and denied requiring members to pay for more.

"This program is also ongoing in Davao and Compostela Valley, it is not fake," he added.

Rotoras also called barangay Balulang councilor Bernie Galdo "ignorant" and threatened to file a case against the latter for disrupting their gathering in a covered court in Balulang.

Rotoras said their organization is legitimate as opposed to Galdo's statement that their accreditation already expired. He said they already renewed their accreditation before the DILG national office.

"If fake ang Hugpong, I challenge you to file a case against me. What we do is only for the poor," he said.