ni Mary Ann Santiago
Umaapela ang Department of Education (DepEd) sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) na maglaan ng karagdagang kumpensasyon at benepisyo para sa mga poll workers na magsisilbi sa nalalapit na 2022 National and Local Elections.
Nabatid na lumiham si Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones kay Comelec Chairman Sheriff M. Abas, at sinabing ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon sa ilalim ng pandemic ang nagtulak sa departamento upang humingi ng dagdag na honoraria para sa mga teaching at non-teaching personnel na magsisilbi sa halalan.
“We recognize that there is a need for a 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,” ayon kay Briones.
Vice Ganda, suportado kandidatura ni Benhur Abalos
Base sa panukala ng DepEd, inirekomenda nito ang P9,000 kumpensasyon para sa chairperson ng Electoral Boards habang tig-P8,000 naman sa mga miyembro ng board.
Samantala, ang mga Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO) ay dapat bigyan ng P7,000 at P5,000 naman sa kanilang Support Staff.
Bukod anila sa mga benepisyo na ipinagkakaloob ng Election Service Reform Act (ESRA) at ng IRR nito, humihingi rin ang DepEd ng P500 kada araw na COVID-19 Hazard Pay para sa mga authorized poll workers.
“Provisions of onsite swab testing and other health services in case of the existence of COVID-19 during the election period, Php 1,000.00 allowance for food and water, and Php 2,000.00 for the transportation expenses should also be considered,” ayon pa sa DepEd.
“Moreover, the Department asked for the grant of honoraria for the selected members of the Comelec-DepEd Monitoring and Coordination teams from the Central and Field Offices under the 2022 DepEd Election Task Force. These teams will ensure that teachers will be provided with adequate information, technical and legal assistance in performing their respective roles in the election,” dagdag pa nito.
Ipinanukala rin ng DepEd na ang mga guro ay pagtrabahuhin ng walong oras lamang, kabilang na rito ang paghahanda at post-election activities at humiling rin ng probisyon ng pondo para as maintenance at pagkukumpuni ng mga paaralan na gagamiting voting centers.
Hinikayat rin naman ni Briones ang mga DepEd officials na aktibong lumahok sa nalalapit na halalan ng may integridad at katapatan, upang makamit ng bansa ang isang mapayapa at patas na eleksiyon.
“We call on all our officials and personnel to maintain neutrality, focus on non-partisan public service, and remain a beacon of integrity. We, at the Department of Education (DepEd), thank our teacher-volunteers for continuing to be on the frontline of the foremost exercise of democracy in the country,” ani Briones.
