ILOILO City – Western Visayans, mostly teachers, working with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the May 2022 polls are getting at least a P2,000 increase in honoraria and other allowances.
This was provided under Resolution No. 10727, said Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, director of Comelec in Region 6.
But according to Balisado, if there’s a hike in compensation, “mayroon ring dagdag na trabaho.”
These included the enforcement of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health protocols within polling precincts and the extension of voting hours, Balisado said.
Who are these poll workers?
Comelec said they are the chair of the electoral board (EB), its members, the Department of Education Supervising Official (Deso), support staff, and medical personnel.
The honoraria are as follows: election board chair – P7,000; EB member – P6,000; Deso – P5,000; support staff – P3,000; and medical personnel – P3,000.
They are also entitled to anti-coronavirus disease allowance of P500, as well as a minimum of five days’ service credit if they are in government service.
The EB chair, members, Deso and support staff will also receive a P2,000 travel allowance – P1,000 on the day of final testing and sealing of machines, and P1,000 on Election Day.
On the other hand, medical personnel will receive P1,000 travel allowance on Election Day.
The Deso and their technical support staff will get P1,500 communication allowance.
The 2022 rates for allowances are higher by P2,000 to P3,000 from the honoraria and allowances given during the 2019 elections.
The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 6 welcomed the development.
“Nakita man naton ang aton teachers during elections – they are frontliners, nagapulaw-bugtaw para masigurado ang integridad sang aton elections,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer sang DepEd-6.
He also sees the ongoing pandemic as challenge for the teachers.
“They have to maintain the minimum health protocols against COVID-19,” he said.
Nonetheless, Escullar said the pay hike would be a big aid to poll workers.
Teacher Jorge of Cabatuan National High School was also thankful.
“Daku gid nga bulig ‘ni, especially nga may pandemic. Kinahanglan man namon magbakal sang needs namon para maprotektahan kami against COVID-19,” he said.
EXTENDED VOTING HOURS
The election voting hours would be extended for an hour (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
According to Balisado, Comelec is expecting a “slow voting process” due to the enforcement of the COVID health protocols.
Balisado, meanwhile, clarified that voters within 30 meters of the voting precinct by the closing hour will still be accommodated.
“Hopefully marami tayong ma-accommodate na voters but we must remember that voting during the pandemic is different kasi may mga health protocols na na i-fa-follow,” said Balisado.
Next year, Comelec may also limit the number of people inside a voting precinct to just 10./PN