DepEd, Comelec mulls shifting schedule for teachers on poll duties if voting hours extended

(FILE PHOTO) POLL DUTY Teachers prepare materials at Corazon Aquino Elementary School on Batasan Road, Quezon City, on May 13, 2018, a day before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) are considering the deployment of teachers in shifts when they perform poll duties during election day should voting hours be extended, an agency official said Tuesday.

Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua said teachers usually work up to 10 hours in the usual eight-hour voting period. If voting hours are extended, work hours of teachers will also be extended, he said.

“Alam natin eight hours or hanggang 10 hours lang siguro ang dapat ibahagi ng mga guro para sa ganun ay maayos ang kanilang pagsisilbi,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(We know that teachers can serve only eight to 10 hours.)

“Beyond those hours, medyo mahihirapan na tayo at sobra na ang pagod nila kaya dini-disccuss natin na baka may posibilidad na maging two shifts din ‘yung mga teacher natin na magsisilbi,” Pascua added.

(Beyond those hours, it will be difficult and the teachers will be tired so we are discussing the possibility of placing teachers in two shifts.)

Comelec earlier said election hours in the upcoming 2022 polls may be extended up to 10 to 12 hours from the usual eight hours.

The poll body also plans to decrease voters per cluster precinct to implement health protocols and social distancing measures against COVID-19.

A teachers’ group earlier urged Comelec to give adequate compensation and overtime pay to teachers if voting hours in 2022 polls will be extended.