EL NIDO, Palawan– The Social Security System (SSS) conducted its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) Campaign in this municipality today to reach out to nine delinquent or non-compliant employers as part of its continuing efforts to ensure full compliance with the Social Security Law.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F Dooc said that based on SSS records reported to him, out of the nine non-compliant employers, eight were guilty for non-registration of business and one for non-remittance of contributions.
The employers guilty for non-registration were Scene Onsight (SOS) Restaurant, Amos Restaurant, Casa Carlota Pension, El Grande Tourist Inn, Mando Mango Inn, Island Hop Nido Hostel, Ristorante La Lupa and Villa Dali Island Inc.
Meanwhile, Caera Travel and Tours with P71, 736.17 in total delinquency is guilty for non-remittance.
Violation of the SS Law is a criminal case, which may result in imprisonment of a minimum of six years and 1 day to a maximum of 12 years. The delinquent employer will also pay penalties on top of their outstanding obligations to the pension fund.
“It is very unfortunate that while these employers earn a living because of their business, they neglect their obligations under the law and deprive their employees the social security benefit due to them,” said Dooc.
El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations today and is home to numerous establishments but records of SSS-Puerto Prinsesa branch showed low employer compliance in the area. The SSS said the RACE campaign will ensure compliance with the SS law by both existing and emerging establishments in the tourist spot.
The RACE Team led by Dooc posted Show Cause orders to establishments of delinquent or non-compliant employers to remind them of their statutory obligation to register for SSS coverage and religiously remit the contributions of its employees.
“We want to remind our employers that on the first day of its operation, they should already be registered with SSS, report their employees within 30 days from start of work and pay their employees contribution monthly,” said Dooc.
Dooc and other SSS officials were in Palawan from June 25 to 26 for a series of back-to-back regional communication activities such as the RACE Campaign, Sulit Conference and University Visit in line with its goal to educate and consult its stakeholders on various policies and programs of the pension fund.