GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Social Security System (SSS) issued show cause orders Tuesday to at least 11 business establishments in Koronadal City for violating the social security law.
The move was part of the series of surprise inspections conducted by SSS legal and enforcement personnel on selected employers in the area as part of its Run After Contribution Evaders (Race) campaign.
Lawyer Renato Jacinto Cuisia, acting Vice President for Operations Legal Divisions I and II of the SSS central office, said the erring establishments mainly violated provisions of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.
Cuisia, who led the inspections, particularly cited the non-registration of businesses to SSS, non-remittance of employees’ premiums and under-reporting of employees.
Cuisia said the violations were earlier established and validated by their account officers.
Five of the establishments found not registered with the agency are identified as Beb’s-AJ Haus of Pies, retail store Meg Enterprises, Earl Convenience Store, Earl Barber Shop, Earl Agrivet, and ND Hardware.
Also, Pharmaceutical firm Seiralab Inc., hotel operator Villa Amor Holdings Corp., party store Smile Balloons and pastry shop Chocolate Haven have posted delinquencies in the payment of SSS premiums of their workers.
Local convenience store chain 747 was also listed as having under-reported its employees.
The inspection team served the show cause order printed on tarpaulins and posted them at the premises of the delinquent establishments.
“They have 15 days to make arrangements for the settlement of their contribution delinquencies and to comply with those required for their businesses,” Cuisia told reporters.
The erring establishments may avail of settlement schemes, depending on their financial condition, and the condonation program on penalty liabilities, which is offered by SSS until September 1, he said.
He said SSS has the option to file charges against the concerned establishments should they ignore or fail to heed the show cause orders.
Under the law, he said erring employers may face imprisonment of up to 12 years and would be required to settle the delinquencies and corresponding penalties.
The Race campaign in Koronadal City was the second in Region 12 or Soccsksargen since its initial rollout in this city in July last year.
Data released by the agency showed that of the 3,054 employers registered with SSS branch in Koronadal City, only 504 were religiously paying the premiums of their workers.
Some 2,056 employers have pending delinquencies and 494 have not made any payments at all.
“We’re hoping to deliver the message that SSS is serious in its campaign to go after erring employers and to champion the cause of the workers,” he added.
