ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Social Security System (SSS) has recorded improved employer compliance in Western Visayas, allowing workers easy access to their benefits, following a heightened implementation of its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign.
Amiel Y. Genova, senior communications analyst of SSS Western Visayas, stated that regular inspections of business establishments have encouraged employers to fulfill their contribution obligations, enabling more employees to enjoy the benefits they are entitled to.
Speaking during the SSS Media Appreciation Day on December 12, Genova said the results of the enforcement drive have been encouraging.
He noted that many employers immediately comply once inspected, which directly benefits employees who can now file claims and avail themselves of SSS services.
SSS, he added, remains committed to continuing the RACE initiative. The agency will sustain its monitoring efforts to ensure that employers consistently fulfill their responsibilities to their workforce.
“We will continue as long as there are employers who need to be reminded of their compliance responsibilities to their employees,” he added.
Records show that 12 RACE operations were conducted in Iloilo this year, while 60 inspections were carried out across Panay Island and Guimaras, reflecting the agency’s intensified enforcement efforts in the region.
Beyond compliance monitoring, Genova emphasized that SSS is also prioritizing service accessibility through programs designed to reach members directly, particularly those in underserved areas.
One of these initiatives is the SSS e-Wheels program, which will continue next year.
The e-Wheels program deploys mobile service vehicles equipped to deliver a wide range of SSS transactions to communities, especially in remote locations and among informal sector workers.
Through these mobile units, members can register for SSS numbers, update personal information, apply for loans, generate payment reference numbers, enroll in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module, and submit benefit claims without visiting an SSS branch.
Genova explained that the combination of strict enforcement through RACE and expanded outreach through mobile services has made a meaningful difference. While RACE ensures employers meet their legal obligations, programs like e-Wheels help members conveniently access SSS benefits and services, strengthening overall social protection for workers in the region. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
