Rapids Journal Online News

 Cayetano nanawagan ng national dialogue tungo sa isang ‘flood-free’ na Pilipinas Nanawagan si Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Biyernes ng isang “national dialogue” na tutugon sa mga sanhi ng pagbaha at sa paulit-ulit na korapsyong nagpapahina sa flood-control efforts ng bansa. Sa isang Facebook livestream noong September 4, 2026, iginiit ni Cayetano na hindi sapat ang mga flood-control project at reporma ng gobyerno para wakasan ang paulit-ulit na pagbaha. Aniya, kailangan ng Pilipinas ng isang komprehensibong estratehiya na mag-uugnay sa flood-control infrastructure, urban planning, land use, rural development, accountability, at higit sa lahat, tamang values bilang isang bansa. “There has to be a national dialogue and discussion. Hindi debate [but] a national dialogue on transforming our nation and how we can ensure that as much as possible, it’s flood-free,” sabi niya. Ayon kay Cayetano, bagama’t nakadadagdag sa pagbaha ang maling disenyo at palpak na mga ...

 BATANGAS POLICE ARREST 5, SEIZE P2.6-MILLION WORTH OF CONTRABAND By Roselle R. Aquino Camp Miguel Malvar, BATANGAS CITY — Five individuals were arrested and more than P2.6 million worth of illegal cigarettes and vehicles were seized in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) in Barangay Banaba Center, Batangas City. The operation was conducted at around 10:45 p.m. on August 27 by the Provincial Intelligence Unit, in coordination with the Batangas Component City Police Station and RSOU-RID4A. Arrested were five Batangas residents identified by their aliases as “Angelo,” 25; “Lorenzo,” 30; “Raniel,” 44; “Walter,” 39; and “Elenita,” 40. Police confiscated assorted cigarette products valued at P603,942, based on Bureau of Customs valuation. Also seized were a 2012 Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter van and a 2025 Toyota Avanza, with a combined estimated value of P2 million. The total estimated value of the confiscated cigarettes and vehicles reached P2,603...

 President Marcos Advances Access to Quality Health Care as PhilHealth–St. Luke’s Formalize Landmark Partnership President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advances efforts to expand access to quality health care as PhilHealth and St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City formalize a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), supporting the initiative. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., DOH Secretary Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian graced the signing ceremony with PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho and St. Luke’s Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Dennis P. Serrano. In his key address, President Marcos Jr. underscored the critical role of public-private partnerships in expanding access to healthcare. He noted that stronger partnerships with private institutions like St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City help ensure Filipinos have acce...

 EDITORIAL -Child Cancer Awareness Month: A Call for Compassion and Action September is recognized as Child Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the struggles faced by children with cancer and their families. Childhood cancer is a serious illness that affects not only a child’s health but also their education, relationships, and future. This month reminds us that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, dream, and live a healthy and fulfilling life. Early detection and proper treatment are crucial in improving the chances of recovery for children with cancer. However, many families face significant challenges due to the high cost of medical care and limited access to specialized treatment. This is why communities, schools, organizations, and governments must work together to provide support and make healthcare more accessible to children who need it. Child Cancer Awareness Month is also a reminder that young cancer patients need more than medicine. They ...

 Kung Wala Sa Tanggapan Si Congressman Amben Amante Kung hindi man makarating ang Kinatawan sa District Office kung araw ng Huwebes na kalakarang idinaraos ni Congressman Loreto S. Amante bilang kanyang People’s Day o tuwiran pakikipaghalubilo sa mga mamamayan, tulad halimbawa kung ang mambabatas ay dumadalo sa mga congressional meeting;  o nasa opisyal na paglalakbay, ay patuloy na nakakapaglingkod ang kanyang tanggapan sa mga mamamayan ng Ika-3 Distrito ng Laguna, Lunes hanggang Biyernes. May tauhang siyang nag-aasikaso sa mga kahilingan, tulad ni Gng. Grace D. Adap na siyang nag-aasikaso sa mga humihingi ng  tulong sa pagpapagamot at pagpapa-ospital; sa mga humihiling ng tulong sa palibing, at iba pang paglilingkod na panglipunan; at  si Bb. Josefina Andal na siyang gumagabay sa mga pinunong barangay sa tamang paglalahad ng kahilingan para sa pagpapatayo ng mga istrakturang pampamayanan, tulad ng gusaling pampaaralan, gusaling pampangasiwaan ng barangay, at pagp...

 DOST, DTI Rizal strengthen MSME competitiveness through business innovation program By Raphael Dorutheo Martin A. San Antonio RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — In line with the celebration of National MSME Month this July, the Department of Science and Technology – Provincial Science and Technology Office in Rizal (DOST-PSTO-Rizal), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Rizal, conducted the Business Growth and Development Training for 31 members of two community associations in Rodriguez, Rizal, July 9. Designed to enhance the entrepreneurial competencies and overall sustainability of local enterprises, the training provided hands-on sessions on the Business Model Canvas (BMC), targeted marketing strategies, business coaching, and strategic networking. Beyond technology transfer, DOST aims to cultivate an innovation-driven mindset among beneficiaries, adopting a holistic approach to establishing sustainable livelihood opportunities in the province. The initiative r...

CHIZ PUSHES FOR DIGITIZED SEA TRAVEL RECORDS TO AVOID CRISIS INFO GAPS Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for the rapid, nationwide rollout of the government’s maritime digital passenger manifest system after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) raised the possibility that the ill-fated MV June Aster may have been carrying more passengers than its official manifest recorded. According to Escudero, the recent sea tragedy in Coron, Palawan once again exposes critical gaps in maritime safety protocols, underscoring the urgent need to real-time passenger data during emergencies. While the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has already mandated the use of digital passenger manifests to curb overloading and strengthen sea safety, Escudero observed that implementation across regional ports remains inconsistent. “What happened to MV June Aster shows why we must accelerate and expand the rollout,” he said.  Last March, MARINA tapped Iloilo and Guimaras as pilot areas where...