SSS runs after delinquent employers in Legazpi City

By Connie Calipay

The Social Security System (SSS) Legazpi Branch issued notices to six delinquent establishments as it conducted its second leg of the “Run After Contribution Evaders” (RACE) campaign on Monday, April 25.

Elenita Samblero, SSS vice president for Luzon-Bicol Division, in a press conference, said the purpose of the RACE is to give all employers a chance and encourage them to avail themselves of their Pandemic Relief Restructuring Programs (PRRP).

“To raise awareness to our employers, this is also a marketing strategy of SSS, which was conceptualized as a pandemic response. We know that for 2020-2021, we have this pandemic, that is why we want to help the employers,” Samblero said.

She said the RACE is not a shame campaign but to inform the public and the employers of the services that they can avail of during the pandemic.

“In the past, we gave show cause orders, not necessarily a shame campaign but to let them (employers) be aware that the next move will be legal intervention if they will not comply. So bago pa tayo makarating doon, ito na muna,” she added.

SSS is scheduled to visit more establishments as a way of helping employers and employees.

“This is also a way to help employees, since without the contributions they cannot avail the benefits offered by SSS, and for the employers, they will be excused in paying penalties of 2 percent per month,” Samblero said.

She advised employees to check their SSS records and report any non-payment of contributions by their employers.

The scheme has three phases but PRRP 1 is not applicable to the RACE campaign, Samblero noted.

The PRRP 2 offers condonation of penalties covering the applicable month of March 2020 onwards and will run until May 19, 2022. Qualified employers can settle their contribution delinquencies through full payment or installment with the condonation of accrued penalties.

Meanwhile, under PRRP 3, employers may pay within nine to 60 months depending on the total amount of their obligation under the following payment schemes: First, they may pay in full the principal obligation first and the corresponding penalties to be paid in installments; second, apply the monthly installments to the principal ahead of the payment for the penalties or; pay in full the remaining delinquency at any time during the term of the Installment Payment Agreement (IPA).

Jogar Tosoc, SSS Legazpi Branch head, said the six establishments visited were among the top 50 delinquent employers on their list due to their non-remittance of contributions.

“The six employers, based on the evaluation conducted by SSS, belong to the top 50 delinquent employers, second is the amount of delinquency and third is the proximity in the area,” he said.

Tosoc said the six business establishments were issued notices due to their P1.54 million total accrued penalties.

Employers are mandated by the Social Security Act to deduct from the salaries/wages of employees their share in the monthly contribution, pay their own share of contributions including Employee’s Compensation, and remit these regularly to SSS.

Under this law, all employers must register with the SSS and report their employees for coverage. (PNA)