INQUIRER FILE PHOTO GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday assured that it is willing to work with the Department of Education (DepEd) to accommodate the latter’s request for additional compensation to poll workers in the 2022 elections.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the agency “recognizes the invaluable role played by teachers in ensuring the success of elections.”
“Accordingly, the Comelec is willing to work with the DepEd in order to find ways to either accommodate their requests or, in the appropriate instances, to help them achieve the results they seek,” he told reporters in a Viber message.
Jimenez made this statement after the DepEd said earlier in the day that it has reached out to Comelec for additional benefits for poll workers in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. PHOTO by RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net
In her letter to Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas dated February 15, Education Secretary Leonor Briones noted that the situation under the pandemic prompted the DepEd to request increased payment for teaching and non-teaching personnel who will serve during the elections.
“We recognize that there is a need for a higher compensation for the teachers because the risk of the COVID-19 is still here. We also made sure that the requested amount or rates prescribed are just and reasonable,” Briones said.
Under DepEd’s proposal, the recommended compensation for the Chairperson of Electoral Boards is P9,000 while members of the board were suggested to receive P8,000.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education Supervisor Official and Support Staff should be compensated with P7,000 and P5,000 respectively, considering the prevailing consumer price index and inflation rate as of January 2021.
The DepEd also requested a P500 COVID-19 hazard pay per day for authorized poll workers, aside from benefits provided by the Election Service Reform Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
Further, the DepEd urged Comelec to consider providing onsite swab testing and other health services, P1,000 allowance for food and water, and P2,000 for transportation expenses of poll workers.