SSS-Tagum intensifies R.A.C.E. campaign in Davao de Oro

Nabunturan, Davao de Oro — The Social Security System—Tagum Branch joins the first national simultaneous Run After Contribution Evaders (R.A.C.E) campaign on Friday in celebration of Labor Day on May 1.

The SSS team, led by Acting Branch Head II Imelda A. Guerra, served notices of violation on the twelve (12) delinquent employers in Nabunturan town, affecting 137 employees for non-remittance of P4.6 million worth of SSS contributions inclusive of accrued penalties.

These establishments include agri-trading, an inland resort, a lumber dealer, an industrial/electrical supply store, a salon, a bakeshop, a car repair shop, a catering store, an engine and spare parts dealer, a gas station, and two food stores.

Acting Branch Head II Imelda A. Guerra said in a message that these employers were selected by the top management based on the assessment or ocular inspection conducted by SSS Accounts Officers, showing that they are delinquent employers.

“So pangayuan namo among Accounts Officers og list of delinquent employers sa kanya-kanyang areas of jurisdictions, so i-base sya nato sa kanang amount of delinquencies, depending of the number of employees involve and if naay complaints sa particular employer,” Guerra said.

Meanwhile, Corporate Executive Officer II Annabelle M. Flores of Employer Delinquency Monitoring Department-SSS Davao stated that those employers who were subjected to RACE will be given 15 calendar days to settle their obligations by visiting the SSS Tagum City Branch.

“SSS is constraint to file legal charges sa employer, after 15 days gikan karun kung si employer wala sya nagpakabana, i-forward na sya sa branch pa-ingon didtu sa legal for issuance of demand letter. If dili gihapon sila mu-comply, thats the time nga mufile tag complain before the prosecutors office,” Flores added.

Moreover, Asst. Branch Head Rita Fe S. Limbaga said that SSS offers an installment program to help employers settle their obligations and be paid within 24 to 48 months, depending on the amount of delinquencies.

“If they cannot pay within the period due to calamities or disasters such as a pandemic, they can apply the condonation program to aid them in paying their past-due loans,” Limbaga added.

According to SSS data, as of December 2022, there are 5541 business employers in the Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro but only 39.16%, or an average of 2170 employers, are paying monthly contributions on behalf of their employees.

Further, SSS team already conducted a RACE campaign in Tagum City last year and will soon be conducting the same in other towns in the province this July, aiming to remind employers of their obligations in order not to deprive employees of their benefits as SSS members. (J. Fernandez, Photos by J. Cadiz)