SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon (PIA) — The Social Security System (SSS) in Bicol is actively pushing employers to comply with their regulatory obligations through the SSS advocacy’s Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign.
According to lawyer Ma. Charissa Oliver-Velasco of the SSS Luzon Legal Department, between April 2022 and April 12, 2024, the SSS RACE Team visited 266 employers in the Bicol region.
Of these employers, 253 were given demand letters, while 106 employers have already paid their SSS contributions for 2,549 employees.
Oliver-Velasco also mentioned that one employer in Bicol was convicted for violating the law this year. This convicted employer may face monetary fines, imprisonment, or both.
Over the past two years, the SSS RACE Team has visited 42 employers in Sorsogon province. Out of these, only seven have settled their obligations to their employees.
The team also visited an educational institution struggling due to the 2020 pandemic and declining enrollments. During the visit, representatives of the school expressed their concerns about potential job losses for educators in the event of the institution’s closure.
Curiously, the educational institution failed to avail itself of the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program (PRRP) which the SSS implemented until November 2022 to ensure employee benefits and help employers avoid legal troubles.
The PRRP, open to all employers who had outstanding delinquencies and could not pay them immediately, could be initiated with a 5 percent down payment, with the rest payable between 9 and 60 months via post-dated checks.
In addition to the educational institution, other business enterprises, such as clothing stores, gasoline stations, bars and restaurants, resorts, and food outlets were also reminded of their outstanding obligations, particularly regarding statutory compliance and financial liabilities to the SSS.
These businesses were issued orders, bills, and letters, highlighting their missed obligations and proposing installment payment plans when applicable.
The team also gave notices of violation to inform the businesses of their regulatory infractions and encouraged them to take prompt action within 15 days, regardless of any justifying circumstances.
Elenita Samblero, the vice president of the SSS Luzon Bicol Division, emphasized that the government values the welfare of employees and workers. In this regard, the government provides social insurance, retirement, and other benefits to support them.
She reiterated the importance of following regulatory protocols and warned about the consequences of non-compliance. She stated that failure by an employer to remit SSS contributions on behalf of their employees is considered illegal under RA 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.
“Employers should comply with legal provisions. RACE operations aim to support struggling employers and foster a culture of regulatory compliance,” she said.
Samblero said employers are required to register themselves and their employees with the SSS. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the delinquency of employers.
Employees are advised to contact their human resources department or unit to clarify the issue. They should keep all payslips and communication with their employer as documentary evidence.
If the employer does not take any action to resolve the issue, employees can report the matter to the SSS and file a complaint against the erring employer.
If no action is taken, they may seek legal advice from a lawyer to explore their legal options.
Samblero invites employers to approach them for assistance and guidance in complying with various processes and systems, rather than waiting for the RACE team to serve them with demand letters or legal actions.
Samblero said that employees can access their employer’s contributions, payments, and other SSS services through SSS’s online applications. To do so, they only need to register at www.sss.gov.ph. (BR-PIA 5/Sorsogon)
