TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Philippines — The excitement level is high at the Capitol as employees and casual workers have been assured to get their mid-year bonus and P2,500 cash gift this month, it was learned Tuesday.

Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr., who just came from abroad, signed last Monday the check for P15 million which is intended for the employees’ mid-year benefits.

The signing was made after the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol in this city. Remulla and his family arrived last Saturday after a two-week vacation in the United States. (Anthony Giron)

Search on for model Quezonians

LUCENA CITY — The search is on for the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan (QMK) for Quezonians to honor the sons and daughters of the province.

 The nomination process will give weight to chosen life works that embody the qualities and virtue of the late President Manuel Luis Quezon on the commemoration of 133rd birth date on August 19.

Quezon Governor David C. Suarez urged his province mates to help the QMK Committee in the selection process.

Lawyer Vicente Joyas leads the search team for the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan and Gintong Medalya ng Karangalan honorees. (Danny Estacio)

Smoking now banned in Rizal

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — True to its continuing commitment to enhance the health services for Rizaleños, the Capitol enacted an ordinance banning smoking in public places, including student dormitories and schools in the province.

Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun-Jun” Ynares, III, has signed Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 002-2011 which aims to make the province smoke free.

The enactment of the ordinance, authored by Board Member, Dr. Genato Bernardo is in accordance with the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 and its implementing rules.

Violators of the ordinance will be slapped with fines ranging from P500 to P5,000 including cancellation of business permit of the establishment. (Nel B. Andrade)

Thousands recall late Gov. Nantes

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Thousands of supporters of the late and former Quezon Governor Raffy Nantes gathered at the capitol compound here Tuesday to commemorate his first death anniversary.

All in red shirt, which is the symbol of Nantes' leadership in Quezon, the supporters and followers of the late governor, have expressed their support and love for the Nantes’ family.

Betty Nantes, the late governor’s wife has assured her husband's supporters that the Nantes family would continue to help those who are in need of their support. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Stronger marriages

LINGAYEN – The provincial government has sponsored the fourth and final batch of training for all local government unit marriage counselors at the Capitol Resort Hotel, here.

Hopefully, this will help in preventing separations, officials of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said.

The training was conducted in response to joint memorandum circular No. 1 series of 2010 in view of the revision of the national pre-marriage counseling manual.

The training covered all 48 local government units in Pangasinan. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)