In their first conciliation conference, six (6) workers received money claims totaling to Php 354, 900.00 through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA)* program of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office IV-A.

Mr. Edwin Sincua, representative of the complainants, requested assistance from DOLE as him and five (5) of his co-workers did not receive their 13th Month Pay from their employer, a gardening enterprise in Calamba, Laguna. Sincua has been with the company for twelve (12) years. “Ever since po kasi ay wala na talagang naiibibigay sa amin. Ito naman po ay karapatan naman naming lahat.” Sincua claims.

Sincua and his co-workers filed their complaint on January 19, and was immediately scheduled for a conciliation conference on January 23. Both parties met with SEnA desk officer, Ms. Nora T. Aguilar, OIC-Chief of the Technical Support Services Division-Labor Relations/ Labor Standards. On the same day, both parties agreed to settle their issues, as Sincua and his co-workers will be receiving the settlement amount, to be divided among them.

DOLE CALABARZON Assistant Regional Director Atty. Nepomuceno A. Leaño II commends both parties for their cooperation leading to a swift settlement. “As both parties were very cooperative in resolving this issue, we have quickly settled, and we hope that this will help maintain good labor relations.”

Three (3) days later, Sincua and his co-workers each received their 13th month compensation from their employer during the 2nd conciliation conference. With smiles on their faces, the workers were thankful to have received what was due to them.

“Wala akong masabi kung hindi maraming salamat. Maraming salamat sa DOLE sa mabilis na aksyon, sa pagtugon sa amin. Maraming salamat po.” Sincua expressed.

*The Single-Entry Approach (SenA) aims to provide a speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure of all labor issues or conflicts to prevent them from ripening into full-blown disputes or actual labor cases. It was first introduced through Department Order 107-10 and later institutionalized through the enactment of Republic Act 10396 in 2013 providing for a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation for issues arising from labor and employment. For more information, visit https://sena.dole.gov.ph.


by:

JEAN ANDREA D. GALANG
Administrative Officer IV