Comelec asked to give teachers additional P2k allowance for poll duty

Teddy Casiño. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Independent senatorial candidate and party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño on Tuesday asked the Commission on Elections to provide an additional allowance of P2,000 for teachers who will man the polling precincts in the May elections.

Casiño, who is running under the militant Makabayan political party, said the measly P3,000 honorarium that each teacher receives for their election duties was not enough to compensate their sacrifices.

“Our teachers make a great contribution to our country. They not only teach the youth and serve as their second parents, but they also safeguard our votes,” Casiño said in a statement.

“Their duties do not end in a day. While the election system is already automated, they still face the same threats,” he added.

The three-term representative of Bayan Muna party-list said the teachers also had to deal with the problems caused by the clustered precincts.

“With their current honorarium pegged at rates almost a decade ago, I believe it is unjust that the government give them a mere P3,000 for guarding our votes and ensuring smooth operations on election day,” he added.

Casiño, who distributed “Teddy Cares” stuffed toys to teachers during the 66th anniversary of the Manila Public School Teachers Association in Malate, Manila, authored House Bill 2141 which seeks to raise the minimum salary grade of public school teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, teachers are assigned to lead the Board of Election Inspectors, Board of Election Tellers and Barangay Board of Canvassers.

These election boards are tasked to lead the counting of votes and ensure free, orderly and honest elections.

During the 2010 automated polls, the Comelec granted an additional P1,300 allowance for teachers serving as Board of Election Inspectors

The poll body provided an additional P500 for the inspection, verification and sealing of the book of voters, P500 for the testing and sealing of counting machines, and P300 for transportation.