THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao advised the public not to fall prey to a recruitment scheme which offers members to be part of a cash for work program that does not exist.
In an advisory issued Monday, February 18, DOLE-10 said it received reports of a certain group allegedly conducting recruitment activities in Barangays Balulang, Macanhan, and Carmen in Cagayan de Oro, and even in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The group is reportedly asking P50 for their membership identification card and another P10 for the membership form. If the members signify interest to avail of a livelihood project, they are required to pay P300 for another membership form, and an additional P200 for processing fee.
They also allegedly offer members to be part of a cash for work program, where members are required to work three hours in one day, but will receive payment from DOLE for work equivalent to 10 days, amounting to P370 per day.
"In this regard, may we inform the public that DOLE-10 has no part and denies any participation in the alleged recruitment activities for availment of cash for work or livelihood programs. Cash for work is a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), not of DOLE," the statement, signed by DOLE-10 regional director Joffrey Suyao, reads.
Barangay Balulang Councilor Bernie Galdo identified the group as the political party "Hugpong Federal".
He said the group held orientations and seminars about their political agenda without permit.
"We asked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) if this group has accreditation, but we learned it already expired last December 2018. So they have no authority to hold such meetings, much more recruit people to work for their fake program," Galdo said in an interview.
Galdo said the group told him that President Rodrigo Duterte downloaded money to DOLE for the cash for work program.
But when the barangay council asked for any document as proof that they are authorized to recruit people, Galdo said they cannot produce one.
Galdo said they have called at least 4 residents of barangay Balulang, who are still asking money from people in exchange for the ID.
"It's okay to organize as long as you have permit, and as long as it does not involve taking money from the residents. The residents were even upset after I confronted the group during their event, but I insisted that I was only there to protect them, because for me, it was a scam," he added.