It’s up to Comelec to grant OT pay to teachers on duty during BSKE – DBM

NO PICNIC School teachers collect ballot boxes and other materials at a Comelec office. (File photo from GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines —  Commission on Elections (Comelec) has the fiscal autonomy to give overtime (OT) pay to teachers who went on duty during barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) elections.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) made the statement on Thursday.

DBM said while the budget of Comelec has an allotment for OT pay, it is only for the employees of the poll body.

“The allocation for OT pay under the Comelec’s BSKE budget is for Comelec personnel,” the department said in a message to INQUIRER.net.

“However, since Comelec has fiscal autonomy, the DBM defers to their decision should they wish to grant/provide OT pay to the teachers who served during the BSKE,” the department explained.

For his part, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said as much as they want to grant OT pay, the agency does not have the funds for this purpose.

“Wala naman pong budget,” Garcia told INQUIRER.net in another message.

(There is no budget.)

The Comelec head also noted the honoraria for teachers have increased to a range of P9,000 to P10,000.

This amount is up from the previous rate of P5,000 to P6,000,

“Kinuha namin yan sa aming savings,” explained Garcia.

(We got that from our savings.)

Asked to comment about for teachers who served as poll watchers, Department of Education had said they can be given five additional leave credits.

RELATED STORIES:

More than 2,500 teachers back out of election work

Comelec asked to give teachers OT pay for poll duty