SSS told erring employers: Follow the law or face imprisonment

LA UNION – Social Security System (SSS) Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Ceasar P. Saludo warned delinquent employers in La Union province that they could go to jail if they will continue to neglect their legal obligation of remitting the monthly contributions of their workers to the SSS during the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operations in Bauang and Naguilian towns.

In a press briefing, Saludo explained that under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, employers have the legal obligation to report their employees to SSS and remit the corresponding monthly contributions of their workers.

“Employers who fail to register their employees or have not deducted and remitted their contributions will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 and face imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to 12 years,” Saludo said.

Saludo said SSS La Union issued written notices to seven non-compliant employers for non-remittance of P1.17 million worth of unpaid contributions and penalties, affecting the SSS benefits of 68 employees. These business establishments include hotel resorts, eateries, hardware stores, and trading merchandise.

SSS La Union Branch Head Francisco F. Pentecostes said that employers who received the written notices are given 15 days to coordinate with their respective servicing SSS Branch Office and settle their contribution delinquencies.

Pentecostes added that SSS offers the employer various ways on settling their contribution delinquencies like the Contribution Penalty Condonation Program wherein computed penalties will be waived upon payment of the accumulated interests and principal amount.

“We also offer them dacion en pago wherein SSS may take hold of any of employers’ properties as collateral while they are paying obligations,” Pentecostes concluded. ### (PR)