BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) - - All business owners including sari-sari stores and public utility vehicles (PUV) such as jeepney or taxi, need to get a clearance from the Social Security System (SSS) before they can renew their local business licenses and permits for this year to ensure the registration of their employees.
This is the reminder of SSS-Baguio Field Inspectorate section team head Jhona Legaspi, during an interview over PIA Hour radio program at DZWT.
According to Legaspi, in line with their mandate of achieving universal coverage, SSS has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the local government units (LGUs) and with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for such purposes.
"It is not for the collection of the SSS; what we aim here is to provide social benefits to all coverable individuals so that in time of their need they can avail of the various benefits they are entitled to as SSS members. In fact, we already have such members including market vendors that are already enjoying their pension," Legaspi said.
She also explained that under the SSS Special Law, even sari-sari stores and jeepney/taxi operators should report the names of their employees within 30 days of employment, clarifying the issue that an employee needs to first work for six straight months to be registered to SSS.
According to Legaspi, they have a system in place for checking if business owners or PUV operators are not complying with such law.
"For active drivers, as a member of SSS they or their beneficiaries can also be entitled to work-related compensation in times of accident while plying their routes," Legaspi explained.