By Lou Ellen Antonio

ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The Social Security System (SSS) Iligan Branch reminded delinquent employers here, Marawi City, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur who are not remitting their employees’ contributions and loan payments to visit their office and settle their legal obligations.

“Nanawagan ta sa uban employers nga maudto sa atong buhatan, makipag coordinate sa atong account officers, para malimypo ang record sa SSS ug makabenepisyo ang mga empleyado,” said SSS Iligan Branch Head Cheryl V. Jariol.

[We are calling on other employers to come to our office, and coordinate with our account officers so that the SSS record can be falsified and the employees can benefit.]

If the delinquent employers will not settle their legal obligations, they will be facing legal sanctions. Violation of the provisions of the Social Security Law is punishable by a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P20,000 imprisonment for not less than six years and one day nor more than twelve years or both, at the discretion of the court.

According to SSS, employers had been assigned to an Accounts Officer based on the area of assignment that assesses them per system records, their contributions ledgers, and/or actual payroll audit and headcount of actual employees, annually.

Additionally, the accounts officer creates a Statement of Account and Billing Letter upon discovering delinquency and will deliver it personally or by any other means. The employer is given thirty days to settle such delinquency. 

There are more than 3,000 employers in Iligan City, Marawi City, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. Of this, 2,968 are intermittently paying employers, 142 are non-paying employers and 709 are regularly paying employers. 

Delinquent employers may also avail of the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program (PRRP) 3 which allows them to pay contributions nine to 60 months depending on the total amount of their obligation. (LELA/PIA-10-LanaodelNorte)