BAGUIO CITY: The Social Security System (SSS) in Northern Luzon assured on Monday that it will continue its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign in 2025, citing its effectiveness in protecting private-sector workers’ rights. ‘Tinuluy-tuloy ng central office ang RACE kasi nakita nila na napaka-effective in 2024 kaya we are again using this sa 2025 (The central office continued RACE because they saw its effectiveness in 2024. We will continue doing it in 2025),’ said Atty. Blesselda Acosta, chief legal officer of SSS North Luzon 1, during a press conference here.
According to Philippines News Agency, the RACE campaign, which issues show-cause orders to non-compliant employers, aims to ensure proper remittance of employees’ contributions, employer registration, and employee coverage. Employers are given 15 days to comply. Acosta said that in 2024, 1,050 employers within their jurisdiction were referred to the legal department for non-compliance. Of those, 947 complied with their obligations following
pre-filing conferences, while 45 to 50 cases were pursued in court. Many employers opted to settle before or during arraignment.
‘We resort to several measures before filing cases, and we accept settlements at any stage because the purpose of RACE is to ensure employers comply, ultimately protecting workers,’ Acosta said. Failure to comply with the SSS law carries penalties, including fines and imprisonment of six months and one day to 10 years. Acosta emphasized that the campaign ensures workers’ access to SSS benefits, which are often denied due to non-registration, non-payment, or non-remittance of contributions by employers.
In Baguio City, 14 RACE operations from January to October resulted in 132 show-cause orders, the registration of 928 employees, and the collection of ?8.2 million in arrears, according to Rosalie Rachel Castaneto, assistant head of the SSS Baguio branch. In La Trinidad town, the capital of Benguet province, 13 RACE activities led to 90 show-cause orders, the registration of 426 emp
loyees, and ?1.8 million in arrears, said Dominador Malatag, SSS La Trinidad branch head. ‘Media coverage of RACE has encouraged voluntary compliance, with some employers registering their businesses and workers after seeing the campaign,’ Malatag added.
The RACE campaign also builds on findings from account officers who discover unregistered businesses or employees. By law, businesses must register within 30 days of starting operations, and employees must be declared within 30 days of employment. Acosta highlighted the range of benefits available to covered SSS members, including multipurpose loans, calamity loans, housing loans, retirement benefits at age 60, and burial and death benefits. Currently, North Luzon is home to 3.5 million SSS pensioners, including retirees, survivors, and those with disabilities. ‘We exhaust all possible means to help employers comply. Filing cases is always a last resort,’ Acosta said.
