BORONGAN CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Eastern Samar Field Office is helping workers resolve labor disputes quickly and fairly through its Single Entry Approach (SEnA), a mediation mechanism that allows employees and employers to reach voluntary settlements without costly litigation.
SEnA provides a venue for guided dialogue on issues such as unpaid wages, separation pay, and workplace injuries, covering both individual and collective employment concerns across industries like retail, construction, and domestic work.
The approach is implemented under DOLE Department Order No. 249, Series of 2025, and Republic Act No. 10396, which institutionalizes conciliation–mediation as a voluntary mode of dispute settlement.
Conciliators at the Eastern Samar Field Office facilitate discussions, ensuring fairness regardless of a worker’s social or economic status.
Recent cases demonstrate its effectiveness: two long-serving employees successfully settled claims for unpaid benefits totaling over P214,000, while injured workers received prompt medical and financial support, including a P350,000 settlement for a laborer permanently impaired by a workplace accident.
In 2025, DOLE Eastern Samar handled 85 Requests for Assistance, many of which were resolved amicably. This year, eight cases have already been successfully mediated. Workers may file Requests for Assistance onsite or online via DOLE’s ARMS system or the National Conciliation and Mediation Board portal.
“SEnA ensures labor justice is accessible, timely, and responsive to real worker needs,” said Salvacion A. Yepez, OIC Chief and Provincial Head of DOLE Eastern Samar. “Our mission is to support workers in resolving disputes and rebuilding their lives after workplace adversity.” (PR)
