CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA 7) — At least 1,000 individuals have benefitted from the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) for the first semester of 2024 in Central Visayas.
This was reported by DOLE-7 officer-in-charge assistant regional director Emmanuel Ferrer during the 17th episode of the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,’ where he discussed the accomplishments of DOLE’s social protection programs.
From the second half of 2022 up to the first semester of 2024, DOLE-7 logged 6,179 workers who have requested assistance through SEnA.
SEnA is a conciliatory mediation proceeding in DOLE that serves as a platform for workers and employers to file a request to settle the entailing concerns or resolve any disputes, instead of filing a case.
Under SEnA, concerns are expected to be resolved within 30 days from filing with at least two conferences, if necessary.
“It is not open-ended because within 30 days, there should be a resolution. Because this is just a request. It’s not a case,” Ferrer clarified.
However, in case of no settlement after 30 days from filing, the request may be elevated into a complete inspection, where the regional director of DOLE will issue an authority to inspect the concerned establishment.
“It will [be] elevated into complete inspection. Mosud na ang visitorial power of our secretary, where the Regional Director will be issuing an authority to inspect that establishment,” Ferrer said.
Workers can file their requests with DOLE offices in Cebu City, Tagbilaran City, Dumaguete City, and Siquijor.
Ferrer said workers may also walk-in to DOLE offices to file their request for assistance.
Requests for assistance can also be filed online.
Ferrer clarified a common misconception that SEnA is solely for workers.
He explained that SEnA is also an avenue for the employers to seek clarification, guidance, among others.
“There is a misconception of SENA. It’s not only open for workers, [but] also open for employers to file… sometimes, the worker also naa pud sila (they also have) reservations in the computation (of payment). They can ask us to intervene, to consult us with the computation of his or her final pay,” Ferrer added.
In terms of the payment, DOLE assured that if the concern is on the payment computation, the SEnA shadow officer or hearing officer sticks to the guidelines to avoid compromising the payment amount.
“There are guidelines that we can only compromise as to the payment, but as to the violation, strict computation, we will stick to that,” Ferrer said.
He added that only the mode of payment can be subject to compromise.
Ferrer reminded employers to comply with the release of the 13th month pay of their employees on or before Dec. 24.
He also urged workers to know more about their rights and seek assistance from DOLE for their employment concerns.
“For the employees, you have to know your rights. In case you have doubts, we will be glad to orient you and assist you to get your 13th month pay,” Ferrer added. (JJT/PIA7-Cebu)
