SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) in Occidental Mindoro recently visited employers who were reported to have been remiss in paying their share of their employees’ social security contributions to remind them to comply with the law or face sanctions.

During the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign, eight employers were issued show cause orders, informing them of their violation of the mandatory provisions of the Social Security Act of 2018 or Republic Act 11199.

Under the law, employers need to report their employees to SSS and remit the corresponding monthly contributions of their workers. Failure to do so will lead to a penalty of P5,000 to P20,000 and imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years.

In a press briefing, SSS branch head Joey G. Monte de Ramos explained that the activity also serves as an information campaign on the importance of complying with the Social Security Act of 2018.

“[Isa rin sa] aim [ng] RACE [campaign] ay to create awareness [din] sa neighboring establishments [na nabibisita] na ganoon ka-serious si SSS…na makolekta ang mga payables doon sa mga [delinquent] na employers,” he said referring to their Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) program.  

[The RACE campaign aims to create awareness in the neighboring establishments visited on how serious SSS is in collecting payables from delinquent employers.]

Senior analyst John Michael Gayo emphasized that non-compliance of employers negatively impacts the employees.

“May mga cases po na may mga pumupunta sa opisina para mag-claim ng [social security] benefits, pero nade-deny kasi nade-detect na hindi pala nababayaran ng kanilang employer ang kanilang contribution,” Gayo said.

[There are cases where individuals come to our office to apply for a social security benefit, but were not granted as it appeared on our system that their contributions were not remitted by their employers.]

Delinquent employers are given 15 days to comply and report to SSS upon the issuance of the show cause order.

SSS offers various programs to aid employers and allow them to pay unremitted contributions with ease such as installment schemes, contribution penalty condonation, and delinquency management and restructuring programs. 

Monte de Ramos assures the public that they should not fear the campaign, "Kaya po tayo nagka-conduct ng RACE para paalalalahan at matulungan ang mga employers sa kanilang responsibilidad kaya hindi po ito dapat katakutan."

[The reason why we are conducting the RACE campaign is to remind and help employers with their responsibility.]

SSS advises employers to report to their office for changes in their workforce as stated in the Social Security Act to avoid penalties and remit contributions on time to ensure that employees can receive their benefits.

These benefits include maternity leave for women, sickness, disability, retirement, death and funeral benefits, and salary loans.

On the other hand, the SSS Occidental Mindoro recorded a P144.73 million collection for 2023, exhibiting a 28 percent increase versus 2022. Monte de Ramos said that the RACE campaign contributed to the increased collection. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)