Rapids Journal Online News

*CHIZ EYES INTEGRATION OF UNSOLD CONDO UNITS INTO STATE HOUSING PROGRAM*  Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing to bring thousands of unsold condominium units into the government’s housing program, saying that existing real estate inventory should be tapped as part of broader efforts to make decent and affordable housing more accessible to Filipinos. Escudero brought up the proposal during his Chiz Wiz! podcast over the weekend, where he was joined by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Undersecretary Marisol Anenias and Colliers Philippines Research Director Joey Roi Bondoc, who cited an estimated 80,000 unsold condominium units in the National Capital Region alone, many of which were originally intended for the Philippine offshore gaming operator market. Describing it as a “housing paradox,” the veteran legislator noted that while thousands of condominium units remain unoccupied, millions of Filipinos continue to face a housing backlog, ...

MPTC Gears Up for Increased Undas Traffic  Motorists are advised to plan their trips and expect increased traffic volume across major expressways during the Undas period. Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) will implement its “Biyaheng Arangkada” program from October 29 to November 3, 2026, across its expressway network: NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CAVITEX, CALAX, and CCLEX in Cebu. The program aims to support traffic management, road safety, and motorists’ travel needs during the peak travel period. The program is being implemented on SCTEX in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and on CAVITEX in partnership with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) through PEA Tollway Corporation (PEATC). Traffic volume across MPTC’s expressways is projected to increase by around 5% overall, with an average increase of 12% expected during the peak travel days of October 30 and 31.  On NLEX and SCTEX, outbound traffic is...

LAGUNA PROVINCE RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING OFFICE FOR FY 2025   SANTA CRUZ, LAGUNA — The Provincial Government of Laguna has been named one of the Outstanding Accounting Offices for Fiscal Year 2025 by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP), Inc.   AGAP President Marichu Palafox informed Governor Sol Aragones that the province’s Accounting Office, headed by Joiphylen Bacanto, was selected for the prestigious recognition based on the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of its FY 2025 financial reports.   The award will be formally presented during the AGAP FY 2026 Annual Convention Seminar, held October 20–23, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center, SM City Clark, Malabalat City, Pampanga. The awarding ceremony is scheduled for October 20, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.   AGAP extended its congratulations and invited Governor Aragones, alongside the province’s Financial Service Heads and Accounting Office staff, to attend t...

CHIZ-ERA REFORMS CREDITED FOR DRAMATIC POVERTY DROP IN SORSOGON Sorsogon’s family poverty rate dropped to 15.1 percent in 2025 from 28.4 percent in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a dramatic decline that highlights the enduring impact of infrastructure and policy reforms put in place by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero during his term as provincial governor.  Escudero, the former local chief executive from 2019 to 2022, praised the current provincial government’s progress but urged stronger livelihood programs, cooperative support, and expanded social protection to help more families rise above the poverty line. He commended present Sorsogon Governor Boboy Hamor for continuing and improving on the reforms that he has started.  “I commend Governor Boboy Hamor and the provincial government for building on these gains and expanding the initiatives we started, especially those that support farmers, fisherfolk, and small entrepreneurs. I’m p...

Mekeni Brings the Taste of Home to Taiwan as It Celebrates 40 Years of Filipino Flavor From the Filipino community in Taipei to local consumers at the Pingtung Fair, the homegrown brand marks a milestone in its four-decade journey of bringing families together through food. TAIWAN — For Filipinos living and working thousands of miles away from home, the familiar taste of a favorite Filipino food can bring back memories of family gatherings, childhood breakfasts, and meals shared around the table. For Mekeni Food Corporation, a homegrown Filipino food brand from Porac, Pampanga, bringing these familiar flavors to Taiwan is more than an opportunity to expand its reach. It is a chance to reconnect Filipinos abroad with a taste of home while introducing the flavors of the Philippines to a wider international audience. As Mekeni approaches the culmination of its 40th anniversary celebration, the company marks another meaningful milestone through its presence in Taiwan, connectin...

NLEX-C5 Northlink Section Nears Completion, Enhancing Road Connectivity  Motorists from North and Central Luzon and western Metro Manila can look forward to faster, more convenient access to Quezon City as the NLEX-C5 Northlink Mindanao Avenue to Quirino Highway section nears completion, with construction now at 96% on the 2-kilometer section. The new all-weather elevated expressway is designed to give motorists with a safer and more convenient travel experience. It will be equipped with CCTV and speed management systems; advanced RFID readers and Neology antennas for toll collection; roadway lighting, traffic signs, pavement markings, and protective barriers and reflective safety devices to enhance road safety, visibility, and traffic management. The segment will extend NLEX eastward to Quirino Highway, providing motorists with a direct alternative to Mindanao Avenue. With construction now in its final stages, work is focused on finishing the installation of concrete b...