SSS implements scheme to help employers pay SS contributions

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LIGAO City --- In an effort to protect the welfare of the private employees from unscrupulous employers, the Social Security System in Bicol re-launched the Run After Contribution-Evaders (RACE) campaign in the region.

The on-going campaign of the SSS to go against the employers who failed to remit or pay dutifully the contributions of their employees aims to compel employers to settle their legal obligation by availing the SSS Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program-Enhanced Instalment Payment Program (PRRP 3).

Elenita S. Samblero, SSS vice president for Luzon-Bicol Division said that the re-launching of RACE program came just in time for employers to settle their delinquencies as the SSS central office is implementing a scheme that condones the penalty for the loans availed by employers.

“Now is the opportunity for them [employers] to pay or remit their contributions for their employees as we relax the collection of payment for their loans,” she said.

The SSS on Monday conducted a surprise visit to several business establishments including hospitals where they issued final notice to pay or remit to the agency their cash contribution for their employees.

Six non-compliant employers in Ligao City and in the municipalities of Guinobatan and Polangui were found at fault for non-remittance of contributions and/or failed to produce records of payment.

She said that five employers failed to remit the SS contributions of their employees with a total delinquency amounting to P 1,173,202.43 while one failed to submit a company’s payroll or the employment records of its personnel.

The business sector, as one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, is encouraged to avail the benefits of the PRRP 3. Under the PRRP 3, employers may settle their accountability within nine to 60 months depending on the amount of contributions they have to settle.

Aside from PRRP 3, the SSS is also offering the contribution penalty condonation, delinquency management and restructuring program (CPCoDe MRP) for employers, which aims to help single proprietorship, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, and associations who have delinquencies in paying their employees’ contributions.

“We are also encouraging the delinquent employers to apply for the CPCoDe MRP as another option to settle the unremitted contributions of their employees, less penalties, through a one-time payment or instalment term. We want to help them since they are our primary partners in carrying out the Social Security law,” Samblero said.

Since the first launching of the RACE, the SSS in Bicol collected at least P2.7 million from 43 employers while P8.6 million has to be collected. Out of the 43 employers who were issued with notice of demand, one employer is facing a case in court for failure to settle his obligation.

Lawyer Ma. Charissa O. Velasco, SSS acting department manager III in Bicol said that their office has issued at least demand letters for 216 employers in the region. With that figure, she said that they are expecting to collect P16.8-M. Out of 216, 35 of them are businessmen in Legazpi City.

For 2022, the SSS Bicol is targeting a P2.7 billion collection from contributions paid by employers and employees.