(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 07 December 2025) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "WILMA" was estimated based on all available data in the vicinity of Matuguinao, Samar (12.2°N 125.0°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 15 km/h. Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting the rest of Luzon. Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds from northeast to northwest will prevail over the western sections of Mindanao with moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 3.1 meters). Elsewhere, moderate winds from the northwest to southwest to southeast with moderate seas (1.2 to 2.5 meters).


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)