Over 300 delinquent employers in Central Visayas were reprimanded by the Social Security System (SSS) Cebu due to alleged failure in remitting SSS contributions that has compromised access of approximately 2,000 employees to their funds.

Eric Coronado, acting vice president of SSS for Visayas, said that it is important not to skip SSS contributions for members to maximize access to SSS programs and services.

The reprimand is a way of protecting the members as SSS pushes regular monitoring of delinquent companies.

Remittances of over 300 delinquent firms would have been equivalent to approximately P60 million, Coronado emphasized. 

The delinquent employers have been given the chance to settle the members’ contributions as part of due process. Should the employers continue to avoid remitting the SSS contributions, SSS will resort to legal remedies for the enforcement of appropriate penalties.

In a way, the delinquent employers may avail of condonation but they must undergo an assessment, Coronado underscored.

In addition, Coronado said that employers may face severe penalties should their failure to remit SSS contributions persist and untoward incidents happen to their employees.

On the other hand, Coronado said that the agency is keen on further development of its digitalization program for SSS members, such as online transactions wherein SSS members may check updates on their contributions directly via the SSS portal.

Filing of benefits may be done online as well and that members may receive claims through partner banks.

The digitalization has been designed, in a way, to decongest SSS offices.