BACOLOD CITY — The Social Security System’s (SSS) branch here has identified some 2,780 non-compliant employers under its coverage, as of August 16.
SSS-Bacolod bared the figure after issuing on Thursday show cause orders to 11 employers in Negros Occidental province, mostly in this city, for failure to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Social Security Act, mainly non-remittance of contributions and non-registration of businesses with the agency.
Headed by Lina Hilado, the branch covers the cities of Bacolod, Talisay and Silay, where there are about 6,955 employers, and 422,777 registered members.
Hilado put the number of non-compliant employers at about 40 percent of the total number of employers under their area of coverage. Based on abstract assessment, their delinquency translates to about PHP50 million.
She said most of the erring employers have been charged criminally.
As for the 11 establishments with show cause orders, Hilado said they were previously given billing letters, but still failed to comply.
On top of the legal charges, the penalty includes payment of death benefits by the employers in case their workers without SSS membership pass away.
“Hopefully, this operation will create awareness on the part of employers to pay the contributions to ensure on-time provision of benefits to their employees, like sick and maternity leave, among others,” Hilado said.
“We urge employees to report non-compliant employers as it is their right to avail of social services and benefits from SSS,” she added.
Officials of the SSS central office, led by Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel Judge Voltaire Jacinto Cuisia, along with personnel of its Visayas Operations Group and Bacolod Branch, first served the show cause orders to the erring establishments.
Red Aeronautics and Technological School in Silay; as well as Habagat Security Services, Fit and Relax Fitness Gym and Spa, Gerald’s Restobar, RED Digital Photography, Hong Department Store, and Miracle Taxi in Bacolod were called out for non-payment of SSS contributions.
Aasanie, Sabai-Rak Salon and Spa, Two Pans Cafe, and Aidalicious Inasal and Resto, also in Bacolod, were given show cause orders after they failed to comply with their SSS business registration. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
