NCR 13th-mo-pay disputes done by early Feb. – DOLE

Labor officials are working to end by early February some 86 disputes involving last year’s 13th month pay pending in Metro Manila, the Department of Labor and Employment said. DOLE Metro Manila director Raymundo Agravante said the department's field offices in the National Capital Region aim to finish conciliation-mediation activities for the cases. “In fact, we are now providing single-entry approach (SENA) services for most of the cases," Agravante said in an article posted on the government portal. With the SENA labor adjudication approach, the DOLE said it expects the cases to be reconciled within 30 days. Agravante said that of the complaints received by the DOLE-NCR, 77 involved nonpayment and nine underpayment of the 13th month pay. He said as of Jan. 7, DOLE field offices in Quezon City, Manila, and Makati-Pasay have already settled five cases involving P228,055.03 in 13th month pay claims. The settled cases involved those of Titleist Services Inc. in Parañaque, Goldhand Career Management Inc. in Quezon City, as well as those of St. Stephen Security Force Agency, Inggo’s Grill and Café, and Mhinee Mart in Manila. Agravante vowed to report more settled 13th month cases as the SENA continues. “I am happy that our advocacy for the payment by employers of the 13th month pay is paying off as our regions report more compliance and settlements using the SENA," DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said. – MRT/VS, GMANews.TV