BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Social Security System (SSS) in Negros Occidental conducted an operation against contribution evaders in La Castellana town on Monday, Dec. 12.
Three sugarcane plantation owners, a restaurant, a common carrier, and a fireworks distributor received written orders from the SSS Run After Contributions Evaders (RACE) Team for non-remittance of contributions and non-production of monthly collection list.
In a statement, SSS Visayas West 1 Division head Lilani Benedian said employers may opt to avail themselves of the Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program (CPCoDe MRP) which offers flexible installment terms ranging from 12 to 48 months, depending on the delinquency amount.
The collection of P1.9 million in contribution delinquency after the operations will benefit at least 100 employees, she added.
All employers are mandated to register their businesses and report for coverage all their employees, regardless of the status of their employment; deduct from the salaries of their employees their share in the monthly contribution; pay their own share of Social Security (SS) contributions including Employee’s Compensation (EC); and remit these regularly to the SSS through accredited payment channels.
Failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of the said law is punishable by a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P20,000 or imprisonment for not less than six years and one day or more than 12 years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Benedian said delinquent employers may visit the SSS branch which has jurisdiction over their registered business address for assistance in the application for condonation.
SSS Visayas West 1 Division conducted a total of 12 RACE operations in Negros island and in neighboring Siquijor island./PN
