A total of 2,220 Bicolano workers were able to receive in 2019 some PHP45 million in settlement claims from labor dispute cases through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program.
Johana Gasga, DOLE-Bicol spokesperson, in an interview, said the workers benefited from the simplified and fast resolution of labor issues under the SEnA.
“DOLE Bicol has settled 1,346 requests for assistance from January to December 2019 with monetary settlement amounting to PHP45 million,” Gasga said.
Joel Gonzales, DOLE-Bicol regional director, commended the region’s SEnA Desk Officers (SEADOs) and Provincial Field Offices (PFO) for their dedicated efforts and effective handling of labor cases that resulted in 85-percent settlement rate.
“With the acquired skill in voluntary conciliation and mediation, our competent field SEADOs were able to secure the most favorable agreement to both parties,” he said.
The workers’ monetary claims were mostly on underpayment of wages, non-payment of holiday pay, premium pay, overtime pay, 13th month pay and separation pay.
The month of June posted the highest amount of settlement awarded to affected workers at PHP12.3 million, followed by the month of November that registered over PHP7 million in monetary claims.
Based on the records of PFO accomplishments, Camarines Sur settled 510 requests for assistance (RFAs) which led to the awarding of PHP11.2 million in monetary benefits to workers.
For Albay PFO, monetary restitution or awards to affected workers amounted to PHP11.5 million; Sorsogon, PHP5.7 million; Camarines Norte, PHP14 million; Catanduanes, PHP1 million; Masbate, PHP1 million; and Technical Support and Services Division (TSSD), PHP713,000.
Under SEnA, desk officers employ conciliation-mediation through a speedy, impartial, and inexpensive settlement of labor issues arising from employee-employer relations.
The complaints are subject to 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation services, with hope to reach a settlement agreement within the period in consultation with the parties. (PNA)
