Comelec to look into request for additional teachers’ compensation

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will look into the request of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines (ACT) for additional compensation for teachers for their extended poll duties rendered during the midterm elections. 

In an interview, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the commission en banc still has to look into the request, just like all other petitions.

As provided by the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA), the chair of the Electoral Boards (EBs) shall receive P6,000 while the members of the board shall get P 5,000 each; the Department of Education Supervisor Official shall be given P4,000 and P2,000 for the support staff.

But ACT Philippines secretary general Raymond Basilio claimed that the teachers actually rendered up to three days of work after election day because of the glitches in the vote counting machines (VCMs).

This is aside from facing the ire of voters who have had to endure long queues while the machines were being restored.

“Once again, teachers are suffering the consequences of incompetence and neglect… We call on the concerned agencies to give justice to the immeasurable sacrifice of teacher-poll workers,” Basilio said.

He added that the teachers were denied the much-needed rest after serving long hours during the poll.

ACT has branded the Comelec as “inutile for only getting worse after several automated elections and for consistently failing to address the same old problems.”

In Bacolod City, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who attended Friday the proclamation and oath taking of her brother Sixto who was elected board member of the 2nd district of Negros Occidental, disclosed that she sent a memorandum, in preparation for the issuance of a resolution, endorsing to local government units to pay the extra time rendered by their personnel.

On top of what is provided by ESRA, Guanzon said the BOC chair and members will also get travel and communication allowance.

She also noted a proposal to give extra pay to those who served in areas where the canvassing of votes was delayed due to the late replacement of defective SD cards.

The counting of votes in several towns and cities of Negros Occidental were stalled due to delays in the arrival of replacement secure digital cards, forcing members of the electoral boards to extend their poll duties several days.

It was only on Friday that the Provincial Board of Canvassers completed the proclamation of all elected board members, vice-governor and governor and members of the House of Representatives.  –  With Gilbert Bayoran