LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Social Security System (SSS) in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte conducted a Run After Distribution Evaders (RACE) program to issue notices to business establishments to settle their delinquencies for non-remittance of SSS contributions and non-production of employer's documents.
 
Eight businesses in Laoag City, including restaurants, security agencies, a shopping center, and a construction company, were served notices on Friday, April 28 during the RACE.
 
Under the SSS notice, the business establishments and employers are given 15 days or until May 12 to settle their delinquencies.
 
Employers have the option to do a one-time payment or an installment payment where they are given 24 months to pay their dues.
 
According to Richard Raralio, branch manager of SSS-Laoag City, a total of 321 employees are affected by the eight businesses. 
 
“Ginagawa natin ang RACE para mabigyan ang mga delinquent employers ng written order to comply at para na rin maiwasan ang pagsampa ng kaso sa Prosecutors Office,” Raralio said.
 
"Itong RACE na ito ay isang pagpapaalala sa mga employers natin ng kanilang responsibility sa kanilang mga employees – to report and remit their contributions on time. That is why we encourage all employers to immediately register their employees within the 30 days after employment, also to remind them to pay the right amount of contributions," he added. 
 
Rommel Miguel, an employee of one of the business establishments served with a notice, shared that their monthly salary gets a cut-off for their SSS contributions but this did not reflect on their accounts.
 
“Nakakaltasan ang sweldo namin tuwing kinsenas at katapusan, pero hindi pala ito napupunta sa aming mga SSS accounts. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa SSS at may action sila rito dahil kailangan namin ‘yong pera para sa mga benefits namin lalo na kapag may emergencies,” he said. (JCR/AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)