Rapids Journal Online News

 UPLB, DHSUD break ground for 4PH rental housing project in Laguna LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (PIA) — Around 1,000 low-income employees and students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), as well as informal settler families in the campus’ vicinity, will soon benefit from a housing project to be constructed in Barangay Paciano Rizal in Bay, Laguna under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and UP President Angelo Jimenez led the groundbreaking ceremony at the project site in Paciano Rizal, Bay, Laguna on Friday, March 6. According to DHSUD, this will be the first housing project in UPLB in 45 years. “The on-campus rental housing project will initially benefit about 1,000 low-income employees and students of UPLB, as well as informal settler families within its vicinity,” Aliling said in a statement. Aliling added t...

 DOST-Batangas, DSWD equip potential exiting 4Ps beneficiaries in Balayan with food safety skills  To support the livelihood transition of potential exiting Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Batangas, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 4Ps, conducted a seminar on Basic Food Hygiene and Food Safety Hazards at the covered court of Barangay Caloocan, Balayan, Batangas, January 28. The activity forms part of a pilot collaboration between DOST-Batangas and DSWD 4Ps to provide capacity-building interventions for beneficiaries preparing to exit the program, particularly those engaged in small-scale food businesses or home-based food preparation. The session on Basic Food Hygiene discussed essential food safety practices, including sanitary permits and health certificates, food quality and protection, primary production, and the proper design of food facilities and equipme...

 PSA CALABARZON PROVIDES NATIONAL ID SERVICES AT JOB FAIR IN ROSARIO, BATANGAS The National ID registration team assists job seekers during the Job Fair in Rosario, Batangas, providing on-site registration and information on the National Identification System. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office IV-A (CALABARZON), through its National ID team, participated in the Job Fair organized by the Office of the Representative of the Fourth District of Batangas on March 5, 2026 at the Rosario Sports and Cultural Center, Rosario, Batangas. The one-day job fair, spearheaded by the Office of Congressman Amado Carlos A. Bolilia IV in partnership with San Miguel Corporation, aimed to connect job seekers with potential employers while providing access to essential government services needed for employment. In support of the activity, National ID booth was set up to provide registration services and assistance to individuals who have not yet registered wit...

 CALABARZON HAS A NEW POLICE DIRECTOR  Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City - Brig Gen Hansel Marantan has been appointed as the new director of the Police Regional Office Calabarzon (PRO 4A), effective Monday, March 9, 2026.  The appointment was formalized through General Orders No. NHQ-GO-DES-2026-1126 dated March 9 issued by the Philippine National Police Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.  Prior to his new post, Gen Marantan served as director of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group. He will now oversee police operations across the Calabarzon region, which covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.  Taking over the leadership of the HPG is Brig Gen Jessie Tamayao, the current executive officer of the Philippine National Police Directorate for Police Community Relations.  Meanwhile, outgoing PRO 4A director Brig Gen Paul Kenneth Lucas has been designated as the new director of the Philippine National Po...

 EDITORIAL: Celebrating Achievements, Advocating True Equality Every March, Women’s Month reminds us to pause and recognize the invaluable contributions of women in all aspects of society. From homes to workplaces, from classrooms to leadership roles, women continue to shape communities with resilience, compassion, and determination. While much progress has been made in advancing women’s rights, the journey toward true equality is far from over. Many women still face barriers such as unequal opportunities, discrimination, and limited access to resources. Women’s Month is not only a celebration, it is also a call to action. It urges us to reflect on these challenges and commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable world. Empowering women means empowering entire communities. When women are given the chance to learn, lead, and thrive, societies grow stronger and more prosperous. This is why supporting women’s education, protecting their rights, and amplifying their voices rem...

 Nomination for  GNSP 2026 has just begun San Pablo City-As gathered from Mayor Arcadio B. Gapangada, Jr.,  in connection  with the commemoration of the 86th Founding Anniversary of the City of San Pablo on May 7, 2026, the nomination form for the selection of “Gawad ng Natatanging San Pableno (GNSP) 2026” are now available at the Office of the City Tourism Officer at the Doña Leonila Urban Park.  Deadline for submission is on 12:00 noon of April 1, 2026 as a compliance with the instructions provided in City Ordinance No. 2015 – 49.      Nominees must be a natural born San Pableño, or a permanent resident of the City of San Pablo for at least 20 twenty years, whose selfless dedication to the profession or vocation has resulted in significant contribution to the welfare of the city, as well as to the advancement of the fields of endeavor. The fields of endeavor are  (1) agriculture, (2) arts and culture, (3) business and industry, (4) civic ...