Rapids Journal Online News

 DTI Laguna, SB Corp Equip Women Entrepreneurs with Business, Financing Support CABUYAO, Laguna  Thirty-five women entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners enhanced their business and financial management knowledge during the Abante Babae, Abante Bisnes! Financial and Business Freedom via DTI and SB Corporation seminar conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry  Laguna Provincial Office (DTI Laguna) on July 13, 2026 in celebration of the 51st Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Week. The seminar introduced participants to DTIs business development programs and services, including Business Name Registration, Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Registration Assistance, business advisory services, capability-building programs, and consumer welfare initiatives aimed at helping enterprises formalize operations and improve business competitiveness. To help address one of the persistent challenges faced by MSMEs, representatives from SB Co...

 PNP Honorarium Bilang pagkilala sa dedikasyon at tapat na paglilingkod ng mga kapulisan sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan sa lungsod, ipinagkaloob ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ang honorarium sa 151 na miyembro ng Philippine National Police (PNP) noong Hulyo 14. Ang halaga ng matatanggap ng bawat benepisyaryo ay nakabatay sa kanilang haba ng panunungkulan (length of service). Ang inisyatibong ito ay bahagi ng ipinangakong suporta ni Mayor Atty. Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan (AJAM) sa mga kapulisan bilang pagkilala sa kanilang mahalagang papel sa pagpapanatili ng kaligtasan at kaayusan sa lungsod.  Kasama rin sa patuloy na pagsuporta si Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez at ang mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlungsod, sa layuning mapalakas ang kapakanan ng mga lingkod-bayan at mapanatili ang mahusay na serbisyong publiko.

 SSS Chief lauds Visa, RCBC-powered fare system rollout Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro tested the new cashless fare system on Monday, 13 July 2026, at LRT-2’s Legarda Station during the launch of the Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS), praising the rollout as a boost to commuter convenience. Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary and Social Security Commission (SSC) Chairperson Frederick D. Go also graced the launch. The AFCS, an initiative led by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), aims to streamline fare payments, reduce reliance on cash, and provide commuters with a faster and more seamless travel experience. The cashless fare system is powered by Visa and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), an SSS partner bank for the MySSS Card. As part of RCBC’s PISO Fare Cashback Promo, holders of the MySSS Card powered by RCBC DiskarTech may enjoy the promo from July 1...

 Student-developed technologies eyes to support Lipa City’s smart, sustainable future By John Maico M. Hernandez Student-developed information systems from the University of Batangas may soon help address real-world challenges in Lipa City as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-CALABARZON and DOST-Batangas explored opportunities to align these innovations with the city’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Plan during a meeting held at the University of Batangas–Batangas City, on July 6, 2026. Representing DOST-CALABARZON were Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations; Ms. Bianca Josephine Pantoja, Head of the Management Information Systems Unit; and Mr. Patrick Isaiah Abarra, Smart and Sustainable Communities Program Focal. They were joined by the DOST-Batangas team composed of Mr. John Maico M. Hernandez, Senior Science Research Specialist, and Ms. Renalee L. Reyes, Science Research Specialist II. The University...

 BSP SUPPORTS EXPANSION OF DIGITAL FARE PAYMENTS TO LRT-2 BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan taps his payment card at an LRT-2 fare gate during the launch of the LRT-2 Digital Fare Payments Pilot at Legarda Station on 13 July 2026 `The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) joined the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Transit Authority, and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) in launching the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-2 Digital Fare Payments Proof-of-Concept at LRT-2 Legarda Station on 13 July 2026, bringing commuters a faster and more convenient way to pay for train rides. ``This initiative allows commuters to use most debit, credit, and prepaid cards; near-field communication-compatible mobile wallets and devices, including Google Pay; and GCash Commute QR codes to access LRT-2 services. It also enables approximately 700,000 My SSS cardholders to use their cards for LRT-2 fares, offering a faster and more seamless alternative to traditional ticket purchases. ...

 Editorial:Don’t Blame the Games-Fight the Addiction Every time a violent incident involving a child or teenager makes headlines, online games are often the first to be blamed. While this reaction is understandable, it oversimplifies a much deeper problem. There is no conclusive evidence that video games alone cause violent behavior. Factors such as poor mental health, bullying, family problems, and social isolation also play significant roles and should not be ignored. Gaming itself is not the enemy. In moderation, it can be entertaining and even help develop teamwork and problem-solving skills. The real danger arises when gaming turns into addiction—when it takes priority over school, sleep, family, and personal responsibilities. Rather than searching for a convenient scapegoat, parents, schools, and communities must work together to promote responsible gaming. Setting screen-time limits, encouraging offline activities, and maintaining open communication with children are far...