The Social Security System (SSS) conducted its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign to remind non-compliant employers in Manapla and Victorias City of their legal obligations under Republic Act No. 11199 otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 2018.
SSS Vice President for Visayas West 1 Division Dr. Lilani Benedian led the issuance of written notices to eight employers in Victorias City and Manapla.
They were cited for non-remittance of the SSS contributions of their employees, a press release from the SSS said.
“Records show that 873 employees were affected by their employers’ non-compliance to the SS Law. We have to act immediately by helping these employers settle their contribution delinquencies with us. We need to collect these past-due contributions so that these employees can avail of various SSS benefits and loan privileges,” Benedian said.
Employed members are entitled to seven benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, retirement, death, funeral as well as loan privileges like salary, calamity, educational, housing, and pension loan for retirement pensioners, she said.
They are also entitled to receive Employees Compensation benefits for work-related sickness or injury, Benedian added.
Benedian also stressed employers’ primary responsibilities are registering and reporting their businesses to SSS as well as reporting all of their employees for SSS coverage regardless of the status of their employment, deducting from their salaries their share in the monthly contribution, paying their share of Social Security Contributions including Employees’ Compensation, and remitting these regularly to the SSS through accredited payment channels.
She encouraged these employers to avail of the ongoing Contribution Penalty Condonation Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program.
“This is SSS’ way of assisting our employers to regain their good standing with SSS as we offer flexible payment terms from 12 to 48 months depending on their assessed delinquency amount. Aside from that, they will be paying lesser amount since accumulated penalties will be waived after full payment of the contribution delinquency,” Benedian said.
The SSS Visayas West 1 Division Chief said through the RACE Campaign they collected delinquency payments of P490.57 million as of December 2022.
“Given the significant success of the RACE campaign, we are vowed to continue this activity to ensure the social security protection of every employed member in the islands of Negros and Siquijor,” Benedian said.
Interested employers and their representatives may coordinate at SSS Victorias Branch through telephone numbers: (034)399-2953 / (034) 399-2954 or send an e-mail to victorias@sss.gov.ph, she said.
As of December 2022 there were 37,348 registered employers in the islands of Negros and Siquijor, Benedian said.*