CORTES, Bohol, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- Before the Social Security System’s (SSS) Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) team gets back in town, local authorities here are urging erring businessmen and companies to settle while easy installment programs are still available.

The SSS RACE Team from Cebu recently visited business establishments in Bohol and delivered demand letters to eight businessmen and establishments, some of them being done in front of clients and customers.

SSS Vice President for the Visayas Atty. Alberto Montalbo, in the team’s recent visit to Bohol, issued the advice, stressing that their compliance with the Social Security Law assures members of their benefits, especially during the times when they need them.

“Let’s not wait for the RACE Team to get to use. We know Boholanos are good citizens, it’s not a good idea to wait until somebody reminds us of our deficiencies,” Montalbo said.

Coming to Bohol to deliver the 15-day ultimatum to eight erring businesses and members, the RACE Team, accompanied by the SSS legal team led by Atty. Marie Ann Chavez, were unable to visit another seven erring establishments in a food park in Dauis town for lack of enough time.

“But just the same, the ultimatum stands,” said SSS Bohol Branch Office head Engr. Alieta Basubas.

“We’re here in good faith, and as long as an establishment’s owner settles their differences with the SSS, they revert to be a member of good standing,” Montalbo assured.

“While the SSS has many relief programs which have already ended, there is still the Pandemic Relief Restructuring Program 3 (PRRP 3) which is still available,” Montalbo revealed.

Covered under the PRRP 3 are regular and household employers who are incapable of paying their deficiencies in full and have no other means to immediately settle their full obligations, especially those who have been delinquent for at least 6 consecutive or cumulative months including penalties, those with late penalty payments, those awaiting for SSS installment payment scheme, and those whose applications under PRRP 2 have been denied.

Employers intending to avail of the program can visit the Bohol SSS and submit to the Branch Office Accounts Department holding their accounts, their application for installment payments within 15 days upon receiving their notices of delinquency, their validated contribution payment of at least 5% of the total delinquency and other supporting documents.

Members with delinquencies can visit the SSS Branch Office and talk to their account executives for the restructuring and installment programs available and at their convenience, said Basubas. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)