LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY (PIA)– The Social Security System (SSS) reiterates its call for employees to be vigilant in ensuring that the contributions deducted by their employers are indeed credited to their accounts.
SSS Luzon – Bicol Division Vice President Elenita S. Samblero stressed on this concern during the Run after Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign in Tabaco City, Albay on Tuesday this week as eight delinquent employers were given notice due to non-remittance of contributions and non-registration of employees.
“The RACE is not a shame campaign. This is a reminder for employers of their responsibilities and to ensure that the employees are given due protection especially if its time for them to avail their benefits,” Samblero said during the press conference.
The Social Security System (SSS) visited on April 11, 2023 some eight delinquent employers in Tabaco City, Albay as part of the first Run after Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign this year in the Bicol region. SSS Tabaco acting Account Manager Alwyn Ray Mapa (in white) said about P1.4 million unpaid contribution is set to be collected from the eight non-compliant employers, which will directly benefit more than 100 employees.
Samblero said there are instances that on their records, some employers appear to be fully compliant and regular in paying their obligations and contributions but after close monitoring, they discovered that they have unregistered or unreported employees who are not given their due protection and benefits against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden.
Samblero further urged both the employers and employees to use the SSS online platforms to check if their contributions are remitted and updated via the SSS website at https://www.sss.gov.ph/ or SSS Mobile App at Google Play.
The SSS loan condonation program is also ongoing to help members with unpaid short-term loans to settle their obligations by condoning the penalties and offering flexible payment terms.
Penalties for violations
SSS Luzon Bicol Legal Department Acting Head Atty. Ma. Charissa O. Velasco said as of 2022, some 298 non-compliant employees in the Bicol region were issued with demand letters.
Of this number, 199 employees settled and complied as of March 2023 while P12.8 million has been collected as of April this year from the issued demand letters and filed cases.
“Non-compliant employees usually have two violations, non-registration of business and non-registration of employees. They will receive two demand letters and face two charges in court,” Velasco said.
“That is why the SSS wants to settle with the employers so that we do not have to refer it in courts. Once elevated, the decision is on the judiciary. Convicted employees will face six years of imprisonment,” she added. (SAA/CLM-PIA5/Albay)
The SSS Team led by SSS Luzon – Bicol Division Vice President Elenita S. Samblero (2nd from left in front row) together with the PIA Albay, media and other SSS officials during the Run after Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign in Tabaco City on April 11, 2023.
