- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Twelve employers with more than P9 million in unremitted employees’ contributions are being subjected to the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign of the Social Security System in Bacolod City.
The six employers, with about P6.3 million in total unremitted obligations and subjected to RACE Thursday, include an emission testing center along the Shopping area, a transport storage and hauling company, a beauty treatment place, and an agro industrial corporation, all in Barangay Villamonte, a pastry stall at Lopue’s East, and a construction supply company in Barangay Estefania.
These businesses were visited by the RACE Team, led by Lilani Benedian, vice president, and Eduard Dorsey Caratao, attorney 1, both of the SSS Visayas West 1 Division; Ma. Sheila Galeno, head of the SSS Bacolod Branch; and Emelia Solinap, head of the SSS Bacolod East Branch, and were issued show-cause orders.
Charisse Magdalene Avila, acting senior communications analyst of the SSS Visayas West 1 Division, told the Negros NOW Daily that six more delinquent employers, with P2.9 million in unremitted contributions, will also be issued show-cause orders today, August 5.
The owners of these establishments are given a non-extendable period of 15 days from service of notice to comply, or settle their delinquency; otherwise, they will face criminal and civil actions that SSS may file against them.
Avila said this is the second RACE in Bacolod, the first was in 2018.
In April this year, the SSS Visayas West 1 Division also issued notices to six non-compliant establishments in the cities of Bago and La Carlota in Negros Occidental, with estimated contribution delinquency amounting to P738,397.24, inclusive of penalties.
Six erring establishments in northern Negros Occidental were also visited by the RACE Team on March 28, with two in Sagay City for failure to comply with their legal obligations under Republic Act 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, particularly the non-remittance of their employees’ monthly Social Security (SS) and Employees Compensation (EC) contributions.
The four others in Cadiz City were issued show-cause orders for non-registration of business with the SSS.
The employers’ non-compliance with the SS Law deprives their employees from availing of the various benefits and loan privileges, especially when they are in dire need of financial assistance, the state insurer said.
The RACE campaign is being implemented nationwide as per orders of SSS president and chief executive officer, Michael Regino, to ensure that all employers are compliant with the law, and providing social security protection to all members and their beneficiaries.
Under the SS Act of 2018, coverage of all employees, including kasambahay or house helpers not over 60 years of age, is compulsory on the first day of employment.
Employers are obliged to report their employees within 30 days from date of actual employment, and to remit both the employee and employer share of the monthly contribution within 30 days from the date they became due.
Employers found guilty of violating any of the provisions of RA 11199 shall be fined or imprisoned, or both, at the discretion of the court, the SSS said.
CONTRIBUTION PAYMENT OPTIONS
Meanwhile, the SSS said that contribution payments can now be coursed through its Mobile App and other online payment channels.
Regino said in a statement that individual members, like self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouse, and land-based overseas Filipino worker, may pay their contributions using their GCash, PayMaya, Bank of the Philippine Islands account, or debit/credit card.
Individual members may also use the mobile app and website of the SSS’ accredited collecting partners, such as Robinsons Bank Corporation, Security Bank Corporation–SBOL, Union Bank of the Philippines, AltPayNet, CIS Bayad Center Inc., GCash, and PayMaya.
“We encourage our members and employers to pay their contributions using our online channels. Through these payment facilities, they no longer have to go to our branches. These can be accessed at the safety and convenience of their homes or offices,” Regino said.
The complete list of SSS-accredited online and over-the-counter payment channels, other than the Automated Tellering Systems in its branches, can be accessed at https://bit.ly/SSSCI2022-014./ CGC
