The Department of Labor and Employment–Davao Region (Dole-Davao) has reported that its Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) program successfully resolved workplace concerns for 3,628 workers in 2025. This figure represents a decrease from the 4,535 workers assisted in 2024, highlighting ongoing efforts to address labor issues in the region through conciliation and mediation.
Key Statistics and Program Overview
Dole-Davao Regional Director, Lawyer Randolf C. Pensoy, emphasized that the SEnA program provides workers with swift and equitable access to justice, avoiding the complexities of prolonged court battles. This approach also enables employers to settle disputes amicably, fostering a more harmonious work environment. Pensoy stated, "Our priority is to protect workers' rights while fostering harmonious and productive workplace relations in the Davao Region."
Institutionalized in 2013 under Republic Act No. 10396, SEnA is a mandatory 30-day mechanism designed for speedy, impartial, and low-cost resolution of labor concerns. It aims to prevent minor workplace issues from escalating into formal disputes or full-blown legal cases, thereby preserving employment relationships.
Breakdown of 2025 Resolutions
Of the 3,628 workers assisted in 2025, Dole-Davao detailed that 2,667 workers recovered monetary benefits, while 961 reached amicable settlements. These non-monetary resolutions included reinstatements and the issuance of certificates of employment, addressing various labor grievances effectively.
Common issues brought before the program encompassed nonpayment of 13th-month pay, unpaid final pay, wage-related concerns, separation and dismissal cases, labor standards violations, and personnel- and conduct-related matters. This wide range of cases underscores the program's versatility in handling diverse workplace conflicts.
Notable Cases and Financial Awards
Among the significant resolutions in 2025 was the release of P4.83 million in monetary claims to 75 delivery coordinators in Davao del Sur, covering their final and separation pay. Another high-profile case involved an information technology head with 22 years of service at an agricultural company in Davao City. This worker filed a complaint after failing to receive service incentive leave commutation, 13th-month pay, and separation pay, resulting in an award of P9.41 million—the highest individual amount granted under the program.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Years
In 2024, Dole-Davao assisted 4,535 workers through SEnA, with 2,108 workers (46.5 percent) recovering monetary claims totaling P119.42 million. The office achieved a 100 percent settlement rate for both monetary and nonmonetary disputes that year, demonstrating the program's effectiveness.
Looking further back, the department settled P173 million worth of monetary claims for 2,081 workers in 2022, resolving 97.05 percent of the 2,099 requests for assistance filed. This consistent performance highlights SEnA's role as a reliable tool for labor dispute resolution over the years.
National Impact and Broader Context
At the national level, Dole reported that conciliation and mediation under SEnA resulted in monetary settlements totaling P8.34 billion for approximately 109,000 workers in 2025. This data underscores the program's significant contribution to protecting workers' rights across the Philippines, beyond the Davao Region.
The slight decline in assisted workers from 2024 to 2025 in Davao may reflect various factors, such as improved workplace compliance or shifting economic conditions. However, the continued high settlement rates and substantial financial awards affirm SEnA's importance in ensuring fair labor practices and maintaining productive employer-employee relationships.
