P8,000 allowance for teachers on election duty sought

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) was urged yesterday to double the allowance of thousands of public school teachers who will man polling precincts on election day next year.

“Let us increase their allowance, from P4,000 to P8,000, to encourage them to continue volunteering or serving for election duty,” Rep. Lito Atienza of party-list group Buhay said.

“Public school teachers have been rendering election service for decades in a non-partisan manner. They have endured long hours without sleep and harassment from watchers of different political parties. It is but right that they be given higher compensation for their hard work and dedication,” he said.

Atienza said the allowance is paid not only for poll duty on election day but until the balloting and vote counting process is finished and results in the precinct level and election paraphernalia are turned over to concerned Comelec-designated receiving officers.

As in the past, teachers will have to accompany the ballot boxes and other election materials when they are brought to the receiving officers in town or city halls, he added.