SSS runs after Oro employers with P7.8-m unpaid contributions

SOCIAL Security System (SSS) has resumed its program tracking down employers delinquent in remitting their workers’ contributions.

The SSS Cagayan de Oro  Lapasan Branch warned delinquent employers to settle their accounts or face legal action in this year’s Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign, which started on April 27, this year.

“We are doing this activity to bring awareness to those employers and establishments who failed to comply with their legal obligation to the SSS,” SSS Lapasan Branch Manager Valentine Aunzo said.

This year’s SSS Lapasan branch RACE Campaign covered 22 delinquent employers with an expected amount of P7.8 million of settled contributions.

In Iligan City, SSS here has also issued show-cause orders to 20 non-compliant establishments as part of the implementation of their RACE campaign.

Moreover, a total of 3,435 delinquent employers were recorded from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

During the intensive awareness campaign in the said places, SSS personnel visited a restaurant, cafe, computer shop, dialysis center, car repair shop, water refilling station, pharmacy, private school, cooperative, and others to remind the employers of their delinquencies in paying the SSS contributions of their workers.

“Failure to comply with the legal obligation deprives the employees of SSS protection and benefits,” Aunzo stressed.

Earlier last year, the SSS Cagayan de Oro had also served notices to 11 employers who failed to remit around P7.2 million worth of contributions.

By Republic Act 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, private sector employers are legally obligated to let their employees avail of the protection and benefits of the SSS, which can only be applied if employers have properly registered their business, disclosed their number of employees, and dutifully remitted contributions.

Aunzo added that a show-cause order will be given to delinquent employers, wherein they must answer or comply within fifteen days of receipt to avoid further legal action against them.

According to SSS, “Race” is one of the ways in ensuring that employees in the private sector are “adequately protected in times of need.” 

Meanwhile, the Municipal Government of Villanueva, through Municipal Administrator Roy Bordo, expressed their support for the RACE campaign, as it is crucial to assure that all employees in their town and the rest of the country are protected against those who are trying to abuse them by not paying their SSS contributions.

“Our Race (written notices) is to let all employers be informed that there is a program they can avail of; if they intend to participate, there will be a condonation of penalties for past contribution dues,” he said.

The SSS CDO-Lapasan branch reminds all employers to make sure that they comply with their legal obligation to their employees by properly paying their contributions.

They also assure those contribution evaders that they will not hesitate to file legal action against them for failure to comply. 

The SSS added similar written notices that are also being prepared for other delinquent companies or commercial establishments with the same problem.

Also, SSS in Iligan City aimed to collect some P2.8 million from the delinquent establishments that were targeted in their two-day RACE campaign.

During a press conference, SSS Iligan Branch Head Cheryl Jariol said the campaign aims to remind delinquent business establishments of their legal obligations as employers and provide them with a solution to settle their accounts.

“We are not harassing or intimidating them; we are here to remind them and guide them, para mawala ang ilang delinquent accounts (to fix their delinquent accounts),” she said.

Business owners are given fifteen days to settle their accounts after they receive the show-cause order. They can settle their delinquent account through the Installment Payment Scheme, Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management, and Restructuring Program.

Acting Assistant Head Marites Marin advised the public to be responsible by making it a habit to check their SSS contributions.

“They can always come to us to check, and they should make it a habit to check their SSS contribution once in a while.”

Also in an earlier statement, SSS senior vice president for Mindanao operations group Edwin Alo said the move is part of the RACE initiative.

In one of the firms, the agency disclosed that 214 employees were affected due to their employer’s non-remittance of SSS contributions for a certain period.

Alo said employers with unpaid contributions from March 2020 can choose to avail of the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program (PRRP) 2 or the Condonation of Penalties on Social Security Contribution.

Under this program, qualified applicants are given a chance via one-time payment or installment term of up to 24 months with condonation of penalties and the application must be submitted on or before May 19, 2022.

Other employers can also opt for the PRRP 3 or the Enhanced Installment Payment Program where an installment term is given the range from nine to 60 months depending on the employer’s total amount of obligations that will run until November 22, 2022.

The SSS also urge delinquent employers to voluntarily fulfill their obligations under the Social Security Law.

They should be our partners in providing meaningful social security protection to our private-sector workers,” the SSS chief said. (With a report from PIA-10)