LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) is urging private employers in Bicol who failed to remit the social insurance contribution of their workers to take advantage of its new flexible payment terms and penalty condonation scheme to ensure employee benefits and avoid legal trouble.

SSS Vice-President for Luzon-Bicol Division Elenita Samblero said employers can avail themselves of the state-run pension fund’s relief program to help them settle their obligations amid the financial difficulties and challenges of managing their establishments.

“We have the Run After Contribution Evaders or RACE, which now we also call Relief Accorded to Challenged Employees to highlight the relief programs that can help our employers pay their dues and settle their legal obligations which when not complied with, has corresponding penalty,” Samblero said.

Partners in adversities

Lawyer Ma. Charissa Velasco of SSS Luzon-Bicol Division advised employers to allocate for the SSS contributions of their employees and make it part of the operational cost of the establishment.

“Consider it part of your cost. It’s better to pay the monthly dues than incur the penalties and added cost of paying for the financial compensations in case something happened to your employers,” Velasco said.

Velasco said SSS is a partner of employers in mitigating the tough times for businesses.

“If you don’t pay their contributions, your employees always have the leverage over you. If something happens to them, you will be obliged to give in to their demands and assist them financially which the SSS can do if only their contributions are regularly paid,” Velasco added.

Relief program

Business owners can avail themselves of Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program (CPCoDe MRP). With this, private employers could pay the unremitted SS contributions plus a legal interest of 6% per annum during the period where the employer has shown proof that the business suffered a net loss.

At the same time, SSS will condone the penalties incurred during the delinquency period. It can be paid in full or on an installment basis for 48 months.

RACE in Albay

In a recent sortie of the RACE team in Albay, seven establishments in the municipality of Camalig were surprised with a reminder about their non-remittance of contributions and non-registration of their workers as SSS members.

A total of P230, 530 in delinquencies is set to be collected and will benefit some 66 employees.

Velasco said prior to the campaign, these establishments were visited and issued a billing letter to settle their dues. However, the SSS had yet to receive any feedback. (PIA5-Albay)