Quezon City – On January 20, 2025, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officially launched the Assistance for Requests Management System (ARMS), an innovative digital platform designed to streamline the filing and processing of Requests for Assistance (RFAs) nationwide. ARMS serves as a unified online system, offering a convenient and efficient system for both direct filing and facilitation for walk-in clients.

Starting this month, all program implementers of the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Program such as DOLE Regional Offices, National Conciliation and Mediation Board’s Regional Branches (NCMB), National Labor Relations Commission’s (NLRC), and Regional Arbitration Branches are mandated to use ARMS as the central platform for handling RFAs. Accessible through its official website, https://arms.dole.gov.ph, ARMS reflects the Department’s commitment to harnessing technology to enhance efficiency and improve the delivery of services to workers and employers across the country.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, all SEnA implementing offices developed their own digital systems to meet clients’ needs. These included the Single-Entry Approach Management System (SENAMS) of DOLE Regional Offices, the Electronic Case Tracking System (ECTS) of the NLRC, and the NCMB Online SEnA Filing System. However, the fragmented nature of these systems presented challenges in coordination and efficiency.

To address the challenges of decentralized information systems, NCMB has enhanced its Online SEnA Filing System as the Assistance for Requests Management System (ARMS) for DOLE and other SEnA implementers, aligning it with the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) to streamline operations. The ICMS project supports the current administration’s commitment to digital transformation, streamlining business processes and combating corruption, ensuring a more efficient and transparent approach to labor dispute resolution.
ARMS simplifies the process for individuals seeking resolution to workplace disputes, ensuring that requests were handled promptly and systematically. By modernizing RFA filing into a single platform, DOLE reaffirms its commitment to advancing labor relations and delivering quality services nationwide.

To ensure a smooth transition, training sessions for Single-Entry Assistance Desk Officers (SEADOs) were conducted last year, and support mechanisms have been put in place to facilitate seamless transactions for RFA filers.
Read similar article:
https://ncmb.gov.ph/digital-capacity-development-activity-conducted-for-modernized-labor-dispute-resolution/

The launch of ARMS marks a milestone in DOLE’s ongoing efforts to create a more responsive and inclusive labor management system.Beyond streamlining operations, the system is expected to promote transparency and accountability in handling labor concerns. With ARMS, DOLE remains steadfast in its mission to uphold industrial harmony and fair treatment in the workplace.

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