by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, APR.1(PIA)--- Employees, self-employed workers and volunteer members having overdue loans with Social Security System (SSS) can now settle their unpaid principal and interest without paying the full amount of penalties under a new amnesty program that would start tomorrow, April 2, 2012.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros Jr., said the amnesty differs from the previous SSS loan penalty condonation program and its terms and requirements for applicants will depend on the type of delinquent borrower.
“SSS will waive 100 of penalties of qualified applicants whose loan delinquency was not their fault, such as members whose employers failed to remit their amortizations to SSS despite deducting loan payments from their salaries,” he said.
Members must have at least three contributions within the last six months before the month of application and proof of deducted loan amortizations such as pay slips, company certification, and notarized affidavits to be eligible for full condonation of penalties.
“They can pay their loan principal and interest in full, or avail of a three-year installment payment scheme at an annual interest rate of three percent,” De Quiros said, adding that SSS will take legal action against employers that fail to remit their workers’ deducted amortizations.
SSS also offers amnesty to beneficiaries of deceased borrowers who will file their death claim applications within the availment period. It will also waive 100 percent of penalties and the member’s delinquent loan principal and interest will be deducted from the death benefit.
De Quiros said delinquent borrowers who paid at least three amortizations can also apply for amnesty, provided that they have remitted a minimum of three monthly contributions within the last six months prior to the month of application.
“Members with at least three paid amortizations will have 90 percent of their penalties condoned if they pay in full. Those who will pay in monthly installments over three years at a three percent annual interest rate will have 80 percent of their penalties waived,” De Quiros said.
Borrowers filing total disability or retirement claims within the availment period will have 50 percent of the penalties condoned under the amnesty program. The outstanding loan balance and remaining penalties will be deducted from their retirement or disability benefit.
“The deadline of application of amnesty program will be on September 30, but beneficiaries of borrowers who passed away without settling their delinquent obligations can apply until March 30 next year,” De Quiros said.
The amnesty program covers overdue salary, calamity, emergency, educational, study-now-pay-later, stock investment and privatization fund loans.
Zamboanga del Norte SSS Provincial Manager Godofredo Martinez urges SSS member-borrowers who had overdue loan payments and wish to avail of the amnesty loan penalty condonation program may just visit their office located Ramos Building (formerly Ramos Hotel) Rizal Avenue corner Ramon Magsaysay St., Dipolog City.
SSS Zamboanga del Norte is presently serving 1,500 employers all over the province with more or less 8,800 employees and more than 10,000 self-employed members.(ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
