Over 1.2K 'aggrieved' workers in C. Visayas compensated

CEBU CITY – Some P35.3 million in monetary claims were released to over 1,000 workers through the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas, a labor official said on Friday.

In an updated report from January to July 2024, Lilia Estillore, regional director of DOLE-7, said the SEnA Unit in Cebu handled 1,216 requests for assistance.

Through the SEnA desk, some P28.8 million in monetary claims were paid to 916 workers in Cebu province and the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

In Negros Oriental, 192 requests were accommodated, and 162 were awarded a total of P4.9 million.

In Bohol, 77 workers got P986,541.78 while 29 out of 31 workers from Siquijor were awarded P504,886.41 in settlement.

Estillore said the labor department is committed to resolving disputes involving labor and management through compulsory arbitration and alternative modes of resolution, and one of these is through SEnA.

SEnA was institutionalized under Republic Act 10396 on March 14, 2013.

Under Republic Act 10396, SEnA cases not settled within 30 days will be referred either to the National Labor Relations Commission Regional Arbitration Branch (NLRC RAB-7), or the DOLE's inspection or a voluntary arbitration with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), two of the attached agencies offering SEnA services. (PNA)