Increased efforts by SSS-Davao in cracking down on individuals evading their financial obligations
In the Philippines, the Social Security System (SSS) has stepped up its efforts to combat contribution evasion through the "Run Against Contribution Evaders" (RACE) campaign. This initiative, aimed at ensuring employers remit their contributions, is a crucial part of the broader mission to protect workers' benefits.
Current Status
The SSS Davao has intensified its RACE campaign in August 2025, conducting events to raise awareness and enforcement actions against erring employers. The campaign focuses on employers who fail to register employees or remit contributions, which can affect workers' access to benefits.
Impact
Unremitted contributions pose a significant challenge for workers, hindering their access to full benefits, including loan eligibility. Thousands of workers in Davao and across the nation are affected annually by unremitted contributions, impacting their loan eligibility and access to other benefits.
The RACE campaign aims to increase public awareness about the importance of timely and accurate contribution remittances. This increased awareness helps encourage employers to comply with SSS regulations. The SSS also takes enforcement actions against employers who fail to comply, ensuring that workers receive the benefits they are entitled to.
Local Highlights
According to Lawyer Chillet Bolo-Escovilla, department manager of the Operation Legal Department of SSS-Davao, the RACE campaign has proven effective and has been made a regular activity. The SSS Davao-Toril Branch conducted a Race on August 5, visiting seven establishments that were registering employees but not deducting or remitting contributions. After a visit during Race operations, the establishments are given 15 days to comply.
In 2024, the SSS Mindanao South Division, which is responsible for the areas from Bislig, Surigao del Sur, to Digos City, Davao del Sur, filed 393 cases against contribution evaders. From January to June 2025, this division further filed 211 cases against contribution evaders in the Mindanao South Division alone.
The RACE campaign, originally held once a year, is now being conducted regularly to reduce the number of contribution evaders. Escovilla mentioned that there are many business establishments and new accounts in the area, contributing to the growing number of cases filed against erring employers.
In conclusion, the RACE campaign is essential in maintaining the integrity of the SSS by ensuring that employers fulfill their obligations, thereby safeguarding workers' rights to social security benefits. The campaign's intensification in Davao and the continued success in filing cases against erring employers underscores the SSS's commitment to protecting workers' rights.
[1] SSS Davao-Toril Branch conducts Race to remind employers of their obligations. (2025, August 6). Retrieved from https://www.sss.gov.ph/news/sss-davao-toril-branch-conducts-race-to-remind-employers-of-their-obligations
[2] SSS intensifies RACE campaign to combat contribution evaders. (2025, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.sss.gov.ph/news/sss-intensifies-race-campaign-to-combat-contribution-evaders
[3] SSS Davao-Toril Branch conducts Race to remind employers of their obligations to collect and remit employee contributions. (2025, August 6). Retrieved from https://www.sss.gov.ph/news/sss-davao-toril-branch-conducts-race-to-remind-employers-of-their-obligations-to-collect-and-remit-employee-contributions
[4] SSS Mindanao South Division files 393 cases against contribution evaders in 2024. (2025, January 15). Retrieved from https://www.sss.gov.ph/news/sss-mindanao-south-division-files-393-cases-against-contribution-evaders-in-2024
[5] SSS Mindanao South Division files 211 cases against contribution evaders from January to June 2025. (2025, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.sss.gov.ph/news/sss-mindanao-south-division-files-211-cases-against-contribution-evaders-from-january-to-june-2025
- The RACE campaign, conducted by SSS Davao-Toril Branch, focuses on ensuring that employers in Davao, Philippines, fulfill their obligations to collect and remit employee contributions.
- In an effort to combat contribution evasion across the Philippines, the SSS filed 604 cases against erring employers in the Mindanao South Division from 2024 to June 2025, underlining their commitment to protecting workers' rights to social security benefits.
