FROM CONSTRUCTION TO RESOLUTION: DOLE QUEZON NAILS P1.28M SETTLEMENT FOR 32 BUILDERS

On October 20, 2025, the initial conciliation-mediation conference was convened under the facilitation of Engr. Jhean R. Yara-Villon, whose firm yet empathetic guidance helped bridge the gap between grievances and understanding, paving the way toward an amicable resolution.

On November 11, 2025, the quiet halls of the Department of Labor and Employment – Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) bore witness to a moment of justice and redemption. Thirty-two construction workers, weary from months of waiting, finally received what was rightfully theirs—₱1,282,720.96 in total settlement—from a construction firm based in Quezon Province. Their journey began with uncertainty but ended with tears of relief and gratitude.

It all started when the group, their tools long set aside after the project’s abrupt cessation, turned to DOLE Quezon for help. Some walked in personally, faces marked by frustration and fading hope. Others filed online, their words echoing the same plea: “We only ask for what we have worked for.” On October 20, 2025, the first conciliation-mediation conference commenced under the guidance of Engr. Jhean R. Yara-Villon, whose steady hand and compassionate leadership bridged voices of grievance and goodwill.

Each session unfolded like chapters of a human story—one of struggle, patience, and finally, understanding. And on that November day, their patience was rewarded. In the spirit of DOLE’s Single-Entry Approach (SEnA), the construction firm agreed to settle, allowing justice to find its quiet way home.

Ms. Cristina H. Barayang, Officer-in-Charge of DOLE Quezon, expressed deep gratitude for the cooperation shown by both parties.

“Every successful settlement is a victory not only for the workers but for peace itself,” Ms. Barayang said.

“This is proof that compassion and dialogue remain the heart of public service. We thank both sides for choosing resolution over conflict,” she added.

One of the workers, holding his envelope close, spoke with a trembling voice—half disbelief, half joy.

“Akala namin, wala nang makikinig sa amin. Pero ibinalik ng DOLE Quezon ang pag-asang akala namin ay nawala na… at pinaalala sa amin na ang bawat patak ng pawis at hirap sa trabaho ay may saysay, may halaga, at may katarungan.”

What transpired that day was more than a settlement—it was a restoration of dignity. Amid the stacks of papers and signatures, hearts were mended, and faith in fairness was reborn.

Because in every corner of Quezon, DOLE stands as a quiet guardian—proving that justice, when pursued with compassion, does not just pay debts… it heals lives.

Confidentiality Notice: The real names of the parties involved in this story have not been mentioned, and their faces have been intentionally blurred to protect their security.

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MULA KONSTRUKSIYON HANGGANG RESOLUSYON:

DOLE QUEZON, NAGHATID NG ₱1.28M SETTLEMENT PARA SA 32

MANGGAGAWA

On November 11, 2025, the Department of Labor and Employment – Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) marked a significant milestone in upholding workers’ rights as 32 construction workers finally received a total settlement of ₱1,282,720.96 from a construction firm in Quezon Province, concluding months of waiting and uncertainty with a long-awaited moment of justice and relief.

Noong Nobyembre 11, 2025, naging saksi ang tahimik na tanggapan ng Department of Labor and Employment – Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) sa isang sandali ng katarungan at pagbangon. Tatlongpu’t dalawang (32) construction workers, na matagal nang umaasang maibalik ang kanilang pinaghirapan, ay tuluyang nakatanggap ng kabuuang halagang ₱1,282,720.96 mula sa isang kompanyang konstruksyon sa Lalawigan ng Quezon. Nagsimula ang kanilang kwento sa pangamba, ngunit nagtapos sa mga luha ng ginhawa at pasasalamat.

Nagsimula ang lahat nang matapos bigla ang kanilang proyekto at sila’y naiwan na walang tinig at kabuhayan. May ilan na personal na nagtungo sa DOLE Quezon, dala ang mukha ng pagkadismaya at unti-unting nauupos na pag-asa. Ang iba nama’y nagsumite ng kanilang kahilingan online, nagkakaisa sa panawagang: “Ang hinihingi lang namin ay ang aming pinaghirapan.”

Noong Oktubre 20, 2025, nagsimula ang unang conciliation-mediation conference sa pangunguna ni Engr. Jhean R. Yara-Villon, na sa pamamagitan ng mahinahon ngunit matatag na pamumuno ay pinagbuklod ang mga tinig ng hinaing at pag-unawa.

Bawat pagpupulong ay tila mga pahina ng isang kwento ng tao—kwento ng pagtitiis, pakikipaglaban, at sa huli, pagkakasundo. At sa araw na iyon ng Nobyembre, nagbunga ang kanilang mahabang paghihintay. Sa ilalim ng Single Entry Approach (SEnA) ng DOLE, nagkasundo ang dalawang panig at naibigay ang nararapat—isang katahimikan ng katarungan na muling bumalik sa tahanan ng mga manggagawa.

Ipinahayag ni Gng. Cristina H. Barayang, Officer-in-Charge ng DOLE Quezon, ang kanyang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa parehong panig sa kanilang kooperasyon.

“Ang bawat matagumpay na settlement ay hindi lamang panalo ng mga manggagawa, kundi tagumpay din ng kapayapaan,” ani Barayang.

“Patunay ito na sa puso ng serbisyo publiko ay nananatili ang malasakit at dayalogo. Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa parehong panig sa pagpili ng pagkakasundo kaysa sa pagtatalo,” dagdag pa niya.

Isa sa mga manggagawa, habang mahigpit na yakap ang sobre ng kanyang natanggap, ay nagsalita nang may nanginginig na tinig—halo ng di-makapaniwala at labis na tuwa:

“Akala namin, wala nang makikinig sa amin. Pero ibinalik ng DOLE Quezon ang pagasang akala namin ay nawala na… at pinaalala sa amin na ang bawat patak ng pawis at hirap sa trabaho ay may saysay, may halaga, at may katarungan.”

Ang naganap na araw na iyon ay higit pa sa isang simpleng bayaran—itinatag nito muli ang dignidad na minsang nabasag. Sa gitna ng mga dokumento at pirma, may mga pusong muling naayos at paniniwalang muling nabuhay.

Sapagkat sa bawat sulok ng Quezon, nananatiling tahimik ngunit matatag na tagapagtanggol ang DOLE—pinatutunayan na kapag ang katarungan ay isinabuhay na may malasakit, hindi lang ito nagbabayad ng utang… ito ay nag-aayos ng mga buhay.

Pabatid sa Kumpidensyalidad: Ang mga pangalan ng mga taong sangkot sa kuwentong ito ay hindi binanggit, at ang kanilang mga mukha ay sadyang binura upang mapangalagaan ang kanilang seguridad.