DOLE secures P1.45-M in unpaid wages for Surigao workers
By Trixee Rosel
Published Mar 26, 2026 04:36 pm
At A Glance
- 63 workers in Surigao del Norte recovered P1.45 million in unpaid wages.
- 37 of 53 Requests for Assistance resolved through DOLE's SENA program.
- SENA offers fast, low-cost, and non-adversarial conciliation-mediation within 30 days.
Beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte receive their unpaid wages through DOLE’s SENA program. (Photo courtesy of DOLE Surigao del Norte Field Office)
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) facilitated the recovery of P1.45 million in unpaid wages for 63 workers in Surigao del Norte during the first quarter of 2026.
The DOLE said 37 of 53 Requests for Assistance (RFAs) on unpaid salaries and employment disputes were resolved quickly through its Single-Entry Approach (SENA).
The cases involved unpaid wages, monetary claims, and other employment-related issues, reflecting ongoing workplace challenges in the region.
“Through conciliation-mediation, SENA provides a faster, less costly, and non-adversarial way for workers and employers to reach agreements within 30 days,” the agency said.
One beneficiary, Menandro, said he and four co-workers sought DOLE’s assistance over unpaid salaries, with the financial settlement providing vital support for his family.
“The assistance is a big help to my children, who are still in school, and to the needs of my family,” he said.
DOLE emphasized SENA as its flagship program, highlighting its role in protecting workers’ rights while fostering harmonious employer-employee relations and reducing backlogs in labor courts.