(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 02 November 2025) Today, November 2, the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), together with local DRRM offices (LDRRMOs), convened for a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Scenario Building meeting to address the emerging threat of Tropical Storm 'TINO,' which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 5:30 AM. 📍 TS Tino is forecast to make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Caraga between Monday evening (Nov. 3) and Tuesday morning (Nov. 4). Wind Signal No. 1 is now raised over Dinagat Islands, with more signals expected across the region. ⚠️ Possible hazards include: -Flooding -Landslides -Storm surge -Strong winds ✅ The public is strongly advised to: -Take precautionary measures and follow pre-emptive evacuation, if needed; -Prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans; -Stay informed via official sources: DOST-PAGASA, RDRRMC, LDRRMOs, PIA, and other government channels. Let’s stay safe and resilient, Caraga! In view of Tropical Storm Tino, which is currently inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and may affect the province of Agusan del Norte by tomorrow morning, the Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC)has recommended the suspension of classes in all levels across the entire province, effective tomorrow, November 3, 2025.


Tuesday, April 29, 2025

SSS Butuan flags down 18 delinquent employers 

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY – Some 18 business establishments in the cities of Butuan and Cabadbaran with P1.18 delinquent contributions for the first quarter of this year were visited by the Social Security System (SSS) Butuan Branch during the Run After Contributions Evaders (RACE).

According to Simon Jude Q. Obut, branch head of SSS Butuan, it is important to regularly conduct RACE to the delinquent employers to remind them of their statutory obligations for their employees. 

RACE also served as a warning to these employers that SSS is monitoring their compliance with the law for the welfare of their employees.

"The common reason why the employers were not able to pay the contribution is due to financial set-backs in their business operations. Some of them prioritized the salaries and wages of their employees," Obut said. 

"There are also employers who are challenged to make timely payments because they are far from the banks and payment centers. The good thing is, SSS has made the payment system more convenient for the employers. They can now use the online payment facilities for easier and faster payment remittance of their employees' contributions," he added.

Before a business establishment is visited and given a show-cause order under the RACE operation, they are first given a statement of account, and a billing statement that they need to settle. If a business establishment is not compliant with the processes, they will then be subjected to show-cause order.

SSS Butuan ensures a regular conduct of the RACE operation to guarantee that the business establishments and employers will diligently comply with the law, and to safeguard the protection of their employees. (MFC, PIA Caraga)