DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, October 9 (PIA) -- Around 60 affected workers in Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces have received their one-time payment for underpayment of wages under the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE released the cash payment ranging from P11,000 to as high as P96,000 to each farm worker-beneficiary.

Some 56 farm workers in the municipality of Sta. Catalina and Bayawan received their claims for underpayment of wages that amounted to more than P2.5 Million.

The settlement came about after both parties involving an agriculture-based firm arrived at mutually agreed terms during the conferences conducted.

DOLE Officer in Charge Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco of Negros Oriental and Siquijor field offices said one worker assigned in retail sales and distribution department of a sales and marketing company claimed a total of P3.5 million as payment for his separation pay.

This one-time payment was made after the successful settlement that was reached during the conferences.

 “We are so happy because the worker is really satisfied with the way our Single Entry Assistance Desk Officer handled the conferences. The payment was made through check,” Tanquiamco said.

The worker, who hailed from Larena, Siquijor, lodged a request for assistance due to constructive dismissal and was eventually paid with his separation pay.

“We would like to congratulate Mr. Kendrick P. Villaluz, the assigned Single Entry Assistance Desk Officer, for successfully facilitating the conduct of the said SEnA conferences. We are happy to note that the affected workers received their money claims without having to spend a single cent since the SEnA is free of charge,” said DOLE-7 Regional Director Lilia Estillore.

She explained that SEnA is an administrative approach 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.

The SEnA is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that is the result of the collective efforts of DOLE’s different field offices.

In Central Visayas, DOLE-7 facilitated the payment of more than P190 million under SEnA benefiting 3,405 workers as of August 2023.

The workers claimed various monetary claims such as underpayment of wages, maternity claims, non-payment of 13th-month pay, holiday pay, night shift differential, service incentive leave, and overtime pay, among others. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from DOLE)