Teachers wait overnight to claim poll honoraria

CEBU, Philippines — Several teachers from different schools in Lapu-Lapu City have to spend overnight outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office just to get their honoraria for their service in the May 14 elections.

Carol Tabuyok, a teacher from Sudtunggan Elementary School, said that she went to the Comelec Office in Lapu-Lapu City Hall last Thursday night and had to wait until 3:30 a.m.

Some teachers reportedly slept on chairs, on the grounds of the second floor of the Lapu-Lapu City Hall where the Comelec Office was located.

Seeing that there was no progress in the distribution, Tabuyok went home and came back in the City Hall past 8 a.m. yesterday but was informed that not all teachers will be given their honoraria.

She was confused about the information because she got a text that the release of the cash card is only until yesterday.

"Nibalik ko diri mga 8 or 9 sa buntag. So, wala gyud koy tulog. Gabii ko nibalik kadlawon nako nauli. Wala lagi klaro pero sige nalang. Wala man tay mabuhat. Mouli nalang ko kay di naman masigo kay di naman madala," Tabuyok said.

Lawyer Janet Lamban, Comelec election officer, asked the teachers who served during elections to be patient while their office is catering and working for their cash cards.

"Though ganahan na unta ta mokupot sa tagsa-tagsa nato ka mga cash-cards, mohangyo lang ko (og pasensya) na medyo ma-delay gyud gamay kay kung atong usahon, magkagubot ang tanan," she said.

She explained that some of the teachers went to their office yesterday to claim their cash cards until it was swarmed with another group of teachers.

The distribution, she said, was not scheduled ahead of time as she was informed by their main office that the cash cards should be distributed as soon as possible.

"Daghan naman gud sila. Masuko man gud sila og balibaran. So atong gi-cater up to the extent og unsa atong maabot (nila). Nahuman mi 5 pm. Mo-resume tag alas 8 sa buntag di sila manugot. Nya brown out naman atong lawas 24 hours," Lamban said.

She said they only have six staff working in the office.

Teachers from island-based schools also came to the Comelec office but eventually backed out, as most of the teachers assigned in mainland schools have complained that they are prioritized, saying that they arrived earlier than them, according to Lamban.

"Mga gikan sa isla, ni-back-out sila.  Next week na sila mo-balik," she said.

Lamban added that under the provision, the teachers can claim their honorarium/salary within 15 days after election day.

"Gusto man sila mokuha dayon. I told them nga kutob sa among mahimo, serbisyohon ta mo. Dili ra sila ang walay tulog. Apil mi," she said.

Around 2,000 teachers had served during the elections. At least 1,000 teachers have already claimed their cash cards.

If there are more teachers waiting beyond 5 p.m., Lamban said she will coordinate with the Lapu-Lapu City Schools Superintendent Marilyn Andales in facilitating the giving of cash cards.

Their office hours will end at 5 p.m.

For Bienvenido Sibug, a teacher from Basak National High School, she said she understands the situation and have agreed to Lamban's suggestion that their cash cards will be facilitated in coordination with the DepEd.

He went to Comelec yesterday afternoon but has decided to go back home because the system was not clear.  He will just wait for the DepEd's coordination so that the whole process will run smooth.

"Kay ang katong mga teachers gikan sa isla ug sa nagkalain-laing barangay di na bitaw mahasol kay luoy gyud kaayo. Ilaha pagkaon, pagbalik-balik (sa City Hall). Plete pa lang daan. Waste of time, waste of energy," Sibug said.

Meanwhile, Comelec Regional Director Veronico Petalcorin said they do not have control over the giving of honoraria to the elected SK officers, after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña reportedly promised to give honorarium and scholarship to all the elected SK officers in the city

Petalcorin said that the giving of honoraria will be up to the Commission on Audit’s (COA) regulations. —Shainna Marie O. Edullantes, CNU COMM Intern/GAN (FREEMAN)