SSS assures employees’ protection from delinquent employers

BAGUIO CITY – – Employees’ protection from delinquent or non – compliant employers is among the priorities of the Social Security System (SSS). Commissioner Gonzalo Duque, Social Security Commission member representing the workers’ group, bared this during the SSS Regional Dialogue with Labor Groups at the SSS – Baguio Regional Office here, Friday. Duque explained that SSS has been trying its best to address employees’ concerns and primary on their agenda is the protection of employees by strengthening the implementation of Section 22b of Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1997 that gives SSS power to go after delinquent employers. First on SSS agenda is to go after delinquent employers all over the country that can result to around P5 billion additional members’ contribution, he informed. Chief Legal Counsel, Senior Vice President Voltaire Agas presented the salient features of Warrant of Distraint, Levy and Garnishment (WDLG), a new and stronger collection mechanism of SSS that is based from Section 22 of Social Security Law. WDLG covers all delinquent or non – compliant employers or those called contribution evaders, against whom a Final Assessment Notice has been issued and will involve assessment (legal or actual), collection and enforcement, Agas explained. The WDLG generally aims to strengthen and complement existing policies and to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of assessment, collection, enforcement capabilities of the SSS, he added. SVP Judy Frances See of the SSS International Operations Group, meantime, presented to the participants the value of SSS membership and their initiative of Real Time Processing of SSS contributions. Commissioner Anita Quitain, in her message, affirmed that SSS will be strengthening relationship and partnership with their members and will conduct more regional information campaign on SSS programs and benefits that members may avail. Asst. Vice President Ma. Luisa Sebastian, SSS Media Affairs Department Head, announced that they will be rolling out the Regional Sulit Conference in Baguio City on May 28-29. This involves forum for overseas Filipino workers, self-employed and local government units, employees and the labor sector members and a forum for future members. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)