Rapids Journal Online News

 Top 5 and 6 Most Wanted in CALABARZON arrested in separate police operations By Roselle R. Aquino Camp BGen Vicente P. Lim, Calamba city — Two Regional Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) were arrested by operatives of the Police Regional Office CALABARZON in separate operations conducted on May 1, 2026, in San Francisco, Quezon and Sto. Tomas, Batangas. At around 12:40 p.m., led by the San Francisco Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Quezon Police Provincial Office, Quezon MARPSTA, and Regional Intelligence Unit 4A PIT South Quezon, the Top 5 Most Wanted Person identified as alias “Jomar,” 33, was arrested in Brgy. Don Juan Vercelos, San Francisco, Quezon. He is facing a murder charge for the killing of a victim identified as alias “Eufemio” on December 10, 2024, in the same barangay. Meanwhile, at about 12:35 p.m., through a joint operation by the Mulanay Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit 4A PIT South Quezon, Provinci...

 JobStart Program Sto. Tomas City-Nagsimula na ang JobStart Program noong Abril 13, 2026, kung saan 55 Tomasinong benepisyaryo ang napiling makilahok para sa isang mahalagang hakbang sa paghuhubog ng handa at kompetitibong lakas-paggawa. Ang programang ito ay isang training-to-employment na naglalayong ihanda ang mga kabataan at first-time jobseekers sa mas makabago at epektibong paraan ng pagpasok sa mundo ng trabaho.  Sa ilalim ng programa, sasailalim ang mga kalahok sa sampung (10) araw na soft skills training na pangungunahan ng Public Employment Service Office (PESO), bago tumuloy sa technical training at internship sa iba’t ibang kumpanya bilang paghahanda sa angkop at pangmatagalang hanapbuhay. Ang JobStart ay isang inisyatiba ng Department of Labor and Employment, katuwang ang LGU-PESO at mga partner mula sa pribadong sektor, na naglalayong tulungan ang mga kabataan na magkaroon ng sapat na kaalaman, kasanayan, at kumpiyansa sa kanilang career journey. Ang matagumpay n...

 DOST-Cavite empowers MSME’s at the 2026 Bacoor Business Summit Strengthening the backbone of the local economy, DOST Cavite joined forces with the Bacoor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PCCI-Bacoor) for the Bacoor Business Summit 2026 held on April 22, 2026. Organized in collaboration with the Business Permit and Licensing Department and the Department of Trade-Bacoor, the summit centered on the theme: “Building Competitive, Responsible, and Future-Ready Enterprises.” The event was spearheaded by Ma’am Gloria Silva, President of PCCI-Bacoor, alongside her dedicated staff. A highlight of the summit was the presence of Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla, who delivered a timely address regarding the ongoing oil crisis. She detailed how rising fuel costs have placed a significant strain on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and outlined strategic government proposals and actions aimed at mitigating these operational challenges. Representing DOST Cavite, Ms. Anna M...

 Enchanted Kingdom welcomes pets and animal lovers to a magical, inclusive one-day Pets Day event Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, opened its magical gates to cats, dogs, pet owners, and animal lovers for a pet-inclusive one-day Furever Enchanted Ogg’s Pets Day event held last April 26. As part of this quarter’s Forever Enchanted Summer campaign, the theme park celebrated the bond between pets and owners while promoting animal welfare through fun activities and surprises, all prepared especially for dogs, cats, and their human companions by EK’s beloved character, Ogg the Guard. The festivities kicked off at the Enchanting Events Place (EEP) Foyer with learning sessions on basic obedience training, pet health and safety, responsible ownership, and animal bite awareness, led by speakers from the Santa Rosa City Veterinary Office, Animal Bite Center, and the dog training institution Canine Connections. Volunteers from the Philippi...

 DTI Laguna Expands Grassroots Reach, Delivers Business and Consumer Programs to Sanjos Market San Pedro City, Laguna  Expanding its grassroots engagement beyond formal business venues, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Laguna Provincial Office, through Negosyo Center San Pedro City, brought its enterprise development and consumer protection initiatives directly to market vendors and buyers at SanJos Market, Barangay Langgam, on April 20, 2026. The activity specifically targeted micro-scale entrepreneurs operating within the public market  many of whom remain outside formal support systems  emphasizing DTI Lagunas strategic push to reach underserved sectors and integrate them into the broader MSME ecosystem. DTI Laguna facilitated an orientation on the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Program, where Negosyo Center Business Counselor Nikki Rose M. Repol outlined the qualifications and incentives available to micro enterprises. The discussion focused on h...

 EDITORIAL: Workers: The Backbone of Our Nation Labor Day, celebrated every May 1, is a day of recognition for the hard work, sacrifices, and contributions of workers across the country. From construction workers and farmers to office employees and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), this day highlights the vital role they play in building the nation’s economy. It is also a time to reflect on the dignity of labor and the rights that every worker deserves. In the Philippines, Labor Day is often marked by rallies and gatherings where workers express their calls for better wages, job security, and improved working conditions. These activities show that while progress has been made, many challenges still remain.  Whether the jeepney driver navigating busy streets or the service crew attending to customers, their efforts deserve recognition and respect. Small acts of gratitude can go a long way in honoring their contributions. It reminds us that a stronger, fairer society can o...

 Aboitiz Construction receives SOPI Awards for Safety Excellence  Aboitiz Construction was recently honored by the Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (SOPI) with multiple recognitions for its outstanding occupational safety and health performance during the 2026 SOPI Construction Safety Awards last April 24, 2026, in Quezon City. The company’s Construction business unit received the highest recognition in the Award of Excellence category for achieving 21,846,683 safe man-hours without a lost time incident (LTI) from January 2024 to February 2026.  Its construction project site for Big E Corporation’s food processing plant in Batangas secured the Perfect Safety Record Award for logging 1,218,193 safe man-hours without LTI.  Meanwhile, Mr. Adriano Ordona, Safety Officer for the LIMA Biz Hub Project in Batangas, was named Outstanding Safety Practitioner for 2025 following a rigorous selection process among top industry nominees.  These accolades are u...