SSS intensifies campaign vs non-compliant employers in Ozamiz

The Social Security System (SSS)-Ozamiz Branch here issues notices to 10 delinquent establishments as it conducted its "Run After Contribution Evaders" (RACE) campaign on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

The Social Security System (SSS) intensified its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign here to raise awareness on the obligation of employers to pay contributions for their workers.

 

SSS Senior Vice President for Mindanao Operations Group Edwin M. Alo said, “Ang SSS nagpahigayon ani nga activity para pag remind sa atong employers nga panahon nga ang ilang empleyado nakatrabaho bisan kaniadto pa nga wala pa’y pandemic angayan kadto sila bayaran tungod ka’y dako kaayo ug importansya alang sa mga employees,” he said.

(The SSS is conducting this activity to remind our employers that when their employees worked even before there was no pandemic, they deserve to be paid because it is very important for the employees)

Alo also reiterated that SSS is not here to bring these employers to public scrutiny. “We are actually here to help our employers to settle their delinquencies by introducing the pandemic relief and restructuring program which offers more flexible payment terms,” he said.

Mindanao North Legal Department Manager Lawyer Raul P. Cinco, however, clarified that the recent RACE operations were geared toward urging employers to avail of the SSS's condonation program, the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program (PRRP), through which establishment owners can settle unpaid premiums in installment.

“The SSS also offered the Enhanced Installment Payment Program under its Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program wherein employers may pay their delinquencies through installment basis, ranging from nine to 60 months, depending on the delinquency amount,” he added.

Meanwhile, SSS Ozamiz Branch Head Liza J. Lumantas said the employers subjected to RACE were given 15 days to respond to the written order by visiting SSS Ozamiz branch.

The campaign in Ozamiz is part of a series of RACE operations nationwide, which aims to exact the continuous compliance of delinquent employers with their statutory obligations under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, ensure the social security coverage of members, and enhance SSS' collection efficiency.

Under the law, an employer who fails or refuses to register their employees, deduct contributions from them, and/or fails to remit the same, including the employer's share to the SSS, will be penalized by a fine of PHP5,000 to PHP20,000, and/or be imprisoned for six years and one day to 12 years, at the discretion of the court.

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.

All employers must register with the SSS and report their employees for coverage.

The SSS-Ozamiz Branch is set to visit more establishments in the city as a way of helping employers and employees. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)