PRIVATE schools appealed to the Social Security System to give them a breathing spell in the payment of the high premiums of their employees.

“Today, all FAPSA (Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators) administrators prioritize the monthly pay of their employees and since the enrollment has been affected by pandemic, we do not have enough to pay SSS, PAGIBIG, PHILHEALTH and the school MOOE,” FAPSA president Eleazardo Kasilag said in a statement.

Kasilag said that SSS penalizes late payments and the interest is even compounded. This has put the squeeze on some schools that they decided to close down.

“SSS officials, when [we] pleaded for relaxed payment, simply say: ‘That is the law, it is not us, we only implement.’ They talk as if they do not enjoy reaping all these benefits and when confronted even charge it to the lawmakers,” Kasilag said.

FAPSA officers appealed to lawmakers to ease the burden on private schools because the pandemic has completely affected their  financial operation.

“Please, SSS, give us breathing spell during this situation and when schools are able to recover, you may charge us as before,” Kasilag said.

“The government has to realize that we are partners and we need their understanding the most. FAPSA humbly appeals to for the government to come to our rescue,” he added.