LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Social Security System (SSS) has ramped up its efforts to protect employee rights by conducting a Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign in Ilocos Norte.
RACE is an integral component of the SSS’s nationwide initiative aimed at ensuring that employers fully adhere to their responsibilities as outlined in Republic Act 11199, known as the Social Security Act of 2018.
The operation targeted businesses in Laoag City and San Nicolas suspected of violating SSS regulations, including non-registration, failure to report employees, non-production of records, and non-remittance of employee contributions.
The violators include nine business establishments from sectors of the food industry, personal services, retail industries, distributors, and a junk shop.
The SSS estimates that these delinquencies have impacted 122 employees.
Richard Raralio, branch manager of SSS-Laoag City, stated that the identified employers have been allotted a 15-day grace period to rectify their violations and resolve their outstanding dues.
“They have until April 4, 2025, to comply, and if they fail, we will refer them to the legal department, then the legal department will give them a demand letter, and if the employers do not take action, that’s the time that we will file a case for them,” Raralio said.
Raralio emphasized a crucial reminder for businesses to review their records, ensure accuracy, and promptly address any outstanding obligations to avoid the potential repercussions of non-compliance.
Racquel Agbayani, a junk shop owner from Laoag City, expresses her concerns regarding compliance with the Social Security System (SSS) regulations.
“I just hope the SSS will consider employers like myself who are unable to comply immediately,” Agbayani stated.
The aim of this campaign is to compel employers to pay the SSS contributions, ensuring the maintenance access that will help employees get benefits for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funerals, and unemployment.
Raralio is calling on all employers to prioritize the accurate and timely reporting and remittance of employee contributions to prevent delinquency.
“To all the employers out there, let’s prevent delinquency. Let’s always remember that it is important to be updated with our records here in SSS, giving reports of our employees, and settling the appropriate contributions of our employees,” Raralio stated.
The SSS remains dedicated to ensuring that workers and employees receive the benefits that they are legally entitled to and continues to strictly prosecute employers that seek to avoid their responsibilities. (AMB/MTDA/ACAT, PIA Ilocos Norte)
