ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas facilitated the release of P66 million in monetary benefits to 2,412 private-sector workers in 2024 through its Single Entry Approach (SEnA).
According to the DOLE Region 6, the department received 1,498 requests for assistance (RFA) related to monetary claims across its field offices. Of these, 1,293 cases were settled, reflecting a high settlement rate of 86.32 percent.
The majority of these requests were for assistance in securing rightful wages from employers.
Regional Director Sixto Rodriguez Jr. commended the Single Entry Assistance Desk Officers (SEADO) for their role in resolving labor disputes and encouraged them to continue delivering quick and cost-effective solutions.
SEnA is an administrative strategy designed to offer a fast, fair, affordable, and accessible mechanism for resolving labor disputes before they escalate into formal cases.
In 2023, DOLE-6 recorded 1,606 RFAs, achieving an 80.57 percent settlement rate and facilitating the release of P221,924,051.01 in monetary benefits.
Melisa S. Navarra, officer-in-charge assistant regional director and concurrent chief of the Technical Support Services Division of DOLE-6, explained that misunderstandings over wages often prompt workers to seek assistance by submitting SEnA forms to DOLE field offices.
“DOLE provides a program that enables mediation and conciliation to settle disputes and prevent conflicts from escalating into formal cases,” Navarra said.
Upon receiving a SEnA form, DOLE field offices schedule conferences between the employer and employee, allowing 30 days to resolve the issue.
Most disputes are resolved during this period, as misunderstandings about rights and obligations between employers and employees are clarified.
For cases unresolved within 30 days, DOLE field offices refer them to the DOLE Regional Office 6 for onsite inspections if the employer-employee relationship still exists. Otherwise, cases are forwarded to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for formal management.
Atty. Ma. Ailyne Valaquio-Pueblo, Chief Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-6, noted that wage-related concerns, such as unpaid or insufficient wages, remain the primary complaints filed by workers.
“Most cases brought to our office involve wage concerns. These are usually resolved because they often stem from a lack of understanding between employers and employees,” Pueblo said.
Other complaints include issues related to health and safety and benefits for domestic workers, such as delays or non-payment of the 13th-month pay, among others./PN
