IN COMMEMORATION of Labor Day, the Social Security System (SSS) branch in Ilustre, Davao City partnered with the SSS Mindanao South 1 Division team to enforce the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) program on Apr. 30.
The RACE campaign is a nationwide activity aiming to push the social security of Filipino workers by calling on business establishments and urging them to settle their contribution delinquencies.
In a statement, SSS Branch Operations Sector executive vice-president announced that the office will issue violation notices to delinquent employers across the country.
“We want to assure our members that SSS will take action and penalize employers who fail to register their employees or have not deducted and remitted their contributions,” Agas said.
During their RACE campaign in Davao City, the team visited eight selected areas mostly restaurants, hotels and motels, taxis or public utility jeepneys, manufacturing, management consultants, retail, and bookbinding businesses.
After receiving the order, the employers were only granted 15 days to report to SSS and provide justification for not having a case brought against them.
They stated that 200 employees are affected with contribution status at stake, amounting to more than P2 million worth of contribution delinquency by the establishments, including its penalties, with violations of non-reporting, non-registration, and underpayment of contribution for their employees.
Mary Ellen Estoque, SSS-Mindanao South 1 Division vice president, stressed that SSS is open for installment schemes, including the condonation of contribution penalties and management structuring program.
“We do not have the power to close the establishment, but if they still fail to comply after a series of notices, we will redirect them to our legal team,” Estoque said.
She added that the campaign serves as a reminder for employers to comply, and to continually protect workers and laborers, granting them access to social security benefits in emergencies.
The RACE campaign, which started in 2017, is conducted regularly at every SSS branch nationwide.
Under the law, the late contribution remittance “is subject to a two (2) percent fine or penalty per month until it is paid in full.”
If they are found to have violated R.A. 11199, they can be imprisoned for six years and one day to 12 years and pay a fine of P5,000 to P20,000.
