DOLE's SEnA Program Resolves Labor Disputes for Over 4,000 Workers, Distributes PHP230 Million in Awards

CEBU CITY – In the initial 11 months of 2023, more than 4,000 workers have utilized the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to resolve labor disputes with their employers, resulting in approximately PHP230 million in monetary awards, as per a labor official's statement on Thursday.

The SEnA program employs an administrative approach to provide a swift, unbiased, cost-effective, and accessible settlement procedure for labor conflicts within a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation period.

Lilia Estillore, the regional director of DOLE-7, stated that the released amount covered resolved requests for assistance filed under the program across the Central Visayas region.

The Tri-City field office of DOLE-7, encompassing Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, reported the highest settlement amount at PHP199.8 million, benefiting 3,305 workers from January to November 2023.

The Negros Oriental field office granted PHP16.6 million to 348 workers, while the Cebu provincial field office disbursed PHP6.2 million in monetary awards to 304 workers.

In the Bohol provincial field office, a settlement amount of PHP4.5 million was awarded to 129 workers, and the province's field office in Siquijor disbursed PHP876,673.44 to a total of 78 workers.

Estillore credited these achievements to resolved requests for assistance handled by various field offices of DOLE-7, emphasizing the role of Single Entry Assistance Desk Officers (SEADOs) in ensuring settlements between involved parties.

She highlighted the advantages of SEnA, describing it as a free, prompt, and non-litigious method of settling labor issues to prevent them from escalating into full-blown disputes or formal labor cases.

The concept was initially introduced through Department Order 107-10 and later institutionalized with the enactment of Republic Act 10396 in 2013, mandating a 30-day conciliation-mediation period for labor and employment issues.

With the introduction of e-SEnA, aggrieved parties now have the option to file online requests for assistance via https://sena.dole.gov.ph/. SEnA conferences can be conducted virtually, in a blended platform, or through the traditional face-to-face arrangement. (PNA)