The Department of Education (DepEd) reached out to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to provide additional compensation and benefits to poll workers for the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections.
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, in her letter to Comelec Chairman Sheriff M. Abas dated February 15, noted that the situation under the pandemic prompted the request for increased honoraria for the teaching and non-teaching personnel who will serve during the election.
“We recognize that there is a need for 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.
Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo and DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua discussed the proposed increase in the honoraria of teachers during election time and other election-related matters as early as February 8 this year.
The discussions led to the formalization of DepEd’s position through Secretary Briones’ letter to Comelec, after internal discussions spearheaded by the Office of Undersecretary for Administration, along with the Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development (BHROD) and the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), among others.
Based on the proposal of the Department, the recommended compensation for the Chairperson of Electoral Boards is P9.000 while the members of the board will have P8,000.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO) and the 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.
Aside from the benefits provided by the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA) and its IRR, the DepEd also requested P500 per day COVID-19 hazard pay for the authorized poll workers.
Provisions of onsite swab testing and other health services in case of the existence of COVID-19 during the election period, P1,000 allowance for food and water, and P2,000 for the transportation expenses should also be considered.
