TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 19 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS), through its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) team, knocked on the doors of at least eight business establishments in Panglao and Dauis to deliver the 15-day ultimatum to settle their deficiency in SSS registration and members contributions. 

Led by SSS Vice President for the Visayas Atty. Alberto Montalbo and SSS legal department head Atty. Marie Ann Chavez, the SSS team swooped on one school and seven resorts or accommodation establishments in Panglao and Dauis to remind them of the potential cases that the government can file against them for their failure to register and pay for employees’ contributions.

Another seven establishments in Dauis were spared from the RACE Team visit but were served a notice of their discrepancy which they should settle within two weeks or appropriate cases will be filed.

Despite this, the SSS urges establishment owners, especially those in densely populated areas, to comply with the law as they might be the subject of another visit by the SSS in the future.

In the previous RACE raids, the government authorities put up shame campaign to force the contribution and registration offenders to pay or padlock their establishments.

The 15-day ultimatum, however, remains until facilitation at the local SSS branch can be had by the erring establishments.

Under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, SSS coverage is mandatory for the employer, employees, self-employed, and OFW members, so they are required to pay the contribution.

The SSS Law also mandates employers to deduct monthly contributions from their employees' salary and remit them along with their share of contribution to the SSS.

If an employer fails to pay contributions to the SSS as prescribed, it will incur a penalty of 2% per month from the date the contribution falls due until paid.

The SSS contributions will form as the common resource for workers benefits, Montalbo said.  

The program for those those who default with their SSS obligations offering easy term payments in the past has ended in May.

Nevertheless, there are options available for easier payment terms, according to SSS Tagbilaran Branch Head Engr. Alieta Basubas.

He added that those establishment owners only need to visit the SSS Branch Office to get the offered terms.  

On the other hand, those with deficiencies who decide to gamble it out with the SSS are certain of P32,000 bail, a jail sentence of six months, and penalties which the court may decide.

During the last RACE Team visit in Bohol, cases against three local establishments have been elevated in court and most ended with settlements, according to the local SSS. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)