SSS-Davao runs after delinquent employers Marcos admin pushing for improved connectivity: DTI

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Wednesday underscored the Marcos administration’s push to improve connectivity across the country.

During the Urban Land Institute of the Philippines Conference 2023 at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City, Pascual said the government vows to build better and more infrastructure that would balance growth in urban and rural areas.

“Connecting urban centers and rural areas, we enable more balanced growth among regions, too,” he said.

Pascual said the government targets to connect economic zones, trade centers, manufacturing, and logistics hubs to address bottlenecks in the supply and transport of goods. Efficient transport and logistics will also help curb inflation.

“The development of robust infrastructure is the key to unlocking business opportunities and stimulating and sustaining economic growth. By investing in high-quality infrastructure, we not only enhance the overall business environment but also pave the way for increased investment,” he added.

TheSocial Security System (SSS)-Davao branch is eyeing PHP3 million in collection from nine delinquent employers served with show cause orders during Wednesday’s first implementation of the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) for this year.

Pascual said the government is spending at least 5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) on infrastructure, both physical and digital.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board recently approved high-impact 194 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) worth PHP9 trillion.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been vocal that he wants to use the capital of the private sector by implementing the public-private partnership (PPP) model in selected IFPs where PPP is more effective.

Mary Ellen Estoque, SSS acting vice president for Mindanao South 1 Division, said they have issued a notice for the delinquent employers and gave them a 15day compliance period or face criminal prosecution.

“We have served notice to the nine establishments and all of them accepted that they have delinquencies,” she said in a press briefing.

The violation of the establishments stemmed from the non-remittance of SSS contributions among its employees since 2022.

The businesses of the delinquent employers include trans- port service, non-socialized wholesale trade, machine shop, wellness services, retail sale of liquefied petroleum gas and other fuel products, motor vehicle battery repair, and retail selling in non-specialized stores.

“We have sent them notices and statements of account for the past several weeks, but they did not comply,” Estoque said, adding they will be conducting 16 more RACE operations within the year.

The RACE implementation aims to remind and instill awareness to the employers that they