THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office XI successfully conducted a three-day Capacity Building and Orientation Workshop for Single Entry Assistance Desk Officers (SEADOs) on March 25–26 and April 2, 2025, at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Porras Street, Bo. Obrero, Davao City.
The activity was conducted in collaboration with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board – Regional Branch XI (NCMB-RBXI), which provided the resource persons for the capacity-building sessions.
A total of 98 SEADOs—comprising both experienced and newly designated officers from DOLE XI, NCMB-RBXI, and the National Labor Relations Commission-Regional Arbitration Branch XI (NLRC-RABXI) — participated in the activity. The workshop aimed to strengthen the participants’ knowledge and skills in labor dispute resolution and case management, equipping them to deliver more responsive and efficient service.
The first part of the training featured an orientation on Department Order No. 249, Series of 2025, which contains the new Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA). This session was led by Director Teresita E. Audea, Deputy Executive Director IV of the NCMB, who provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the legal framework and updated procedures governing labor dispute resolution.
The second segment of the workshop focused on basic SEADO training, facilitated by NCMB-RBXI Regional Director Gerrie D. Lampitco, Mr. Cary Jun P. Montero, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer, and Labor and Employment Officer III Sheila A. Rivera. This session aimed to equip new SEADOs with essential skills in communication, mediation, and conflict resolution to help them effectively address various workplace issues.
The final part of the training was the orientation on the DOLE Assistance and Referral Management System (ARMS), a digital platform designed to streamline the tracking, management, and processing of labor-related requests. The session was conducted by Mr. Ianne R. Go, Chief of the NCMB Research and Information Division, and Mr. Ramir D. Peleo, NCMB Information Systems Analyst II.
“This capacity-building initiative exemplifies our continued commitment to nurturing competent, responsive, and empowered SEADOs across the region. By strengthening their capabilities in dispute resolution and embracing digital innovations such as DOLE ARMS, we aim to ensure that our clients receive fast, fair, and efficient services. This workshop reaffirms our collective pursuit of industrial peace and inclusive growth for every Filipino worker,” said Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy, DOLE XI Regional Director, in his welcome remarks.
The workshop served to further solidify the collaboration among DOLE XI, NCMB-RBXI, and NLRC-RABXI in delivering streamlined and people-centered public service. More importantly, it strengthened the competencies of SEADOs in fulfilling their vital role in promoting just and harmonious labor relations across the region.
While all three—DOLE, NCMB, and NLRC—are connected to labor and employment in the Philippines, they have distinct roles and functions in handling labor concerns, especially in dispute resolution. The DOLE is the primary government agency responsible for formulating policies, implementing programs, and enforcing labor standards to promote decent work and industrial peace. Under its umbrella, the NCMB focuses on promoting voluntary dispute resolution through conciliation and mediation, helping workers and employers settle issues amicably before they escalate.
Meanwhile, the NLRC serves as a quasi-judicial body that adjudicates unresolved labor disputes, such as illegal dismissal and monetary claims, through formal legal proceedings. While DOLE provides general labor support and policy, NCMB acts as the mediator, and NLRC functions as the arbiter when disputes require formal resolution. PR