BACOLOD CITY – The Social Security System (SSS) has asked delinquent employers here to avail of its Enhanced Installment Payment Program under the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program 3 (PRRP 3) to remit to it the past due monthly contributions of their workers.
SSS, in a statement, reminded non-compliant employers of this option after a local team implementing the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) drive earlier served written notices to 12 delinquent employers for non-reporting and non-remittance of SSS contributions, and non-submission of monthly collection reports.
The delinquent firms have not remitted Social Security (SS) and Employee’s Compensation (EC) contributions amounting to P9.4 million, inclusive of penalties, involving some 257 employees, based on figures of the account management sections of SSS Bacolod East and Bacolod Lacson branches.
SSS Visayas West 1 Division vice president Lilani Benedian said they have reminded the employers of their legal obligations and will assist them to comply through the designated account officers.
“These violations directly affect their workers’ eligibility to social security benefits and loan privileges,” she stressed.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which badly hit businesses, has become their convenient alibi for failing to update the payment of their workers’ SSS contributions.
Benedian said employers with past due contributions may opt to avail of installment payment under the PRRP 3, under which they can choose among the flexible installment terms ranging from nine to 60 months, depending on their delinquency accounts.
Qualified regular and household employers with past-due SS and EC contributions may submit their PRRP 3 application until November 21, 2022.
RA 11199, the Social Security Act of 2018 mandates employers to register their businesses and report the coverage of all their employees, regardless of the status of their employment, and deduct from their salaries their monthly contribution share and remit them to SSS along with their own share.
Under RA 11199, failure or refusal to comply merits a fine of not less than P5,000 or more than P20,000 or a jail term of not less than six years and one day nor more than 12 years, or both, as punishment at the discretion of the court.