SSS Luzon North 1 enforces employers’ compliance with the SS Law

BAGUIO CITY – The Social Security System (SSS) Luzon North 1 Division urged all business employers under the jurisdiction of its nine branches to fulfill their legal obligations under Republic Act 11199, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 2018.

During the nationwide conduct of Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) Campaign last April 28, SSS branches in Agoo, Baguio, Bangued, Bontoc, Candon, La Trinidad, La Union, Laoag, and Vigan simultaneously issued written notices to 60 delinquent employers due to non-remittance of contributions amounting to P13.8 million, including penalties and interest. Said violation resulted in a gap of months in the records of 605 employees.

“Under the law, employers are obliged to deduct from the compensation of their employees and remit such contributions to SSS together with the employer’s contribution share; register to SSS their business and report the exact number of their employees and to produce necessary documents such as payrolls and collection lists to SSS in case these are necessarily needed by the agency. Failure to meet these legal obligations will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 and imprisonment ranging from six years and one day to 12 years or both, at the discretion of the court”, said Atty. Blesselda Acosta, the Legal Cluster Head of SSS North Luzon Operations.

Delinquent employers who received written notice from SSS were invited to the SSS branch to avail of the contribution penalty condonation program with flexible payment terms– either a one-time payment or installment ranging from 12 to 48 months, depending on the delinquency amount.

“As our partners in providing social security protection, we appeal to all employers to remit their employees’ SSS contributions for them to qualify for the seven benefits – Sickness, Maternity, Disability, Unemployment, Retirement, Death, and Funeral; and loan privileges such as Salary and Calamity Loan. Employed members are also entitled to receive Employee Compensation benefits for work-related sickness, injury, or death”, said SSS Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Ceasar P. Saludo.

RACE is a nationwide campaign of SSS since 2017 which aims to intensify employers’ compliance with RA 11199. As of October 2022, SSS Luzon North 1 Division visited 84 employers and collected P4.53 million of contribution delinquency as of December 31, 2022. Also, 98 employers benefited from this campaign through the availment of the Contribution Penalty Condonation Program and or the Enhance Installment Payment Program.

Employers who want to avail of the condonation program are advised to coordinate with their assigned Accounts Officer of their servicing SSS branch. ### (PR)