Comelec ready to work with DepEd on teachers’ pay hike

MANILA – An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday vowed to work with the Department of Education (DepEd) on its request for an increase in the salary of teachers who are serving during elections.

“Accordingly, the Comelec is willing to work with the DepEd in order to find ways to either accommodate their requests or, in the appropriate instances, to help them achieve the results they seek,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement. “The Comelec recognizes the invaluable role played by teachers in ensuring the success of elections.”

Teachers have been serving as board of election inspectors (BEIs) during the country’s electoral exercises.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said she earlier wrote Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas requesting for an increase in the honoraria for teaching and non-teaching personnel who will serve in the 2022 national and local polls.

Under the proposal, the DepEd is seeking a PHP9,000 compensation for the chairperson of BEIs, PHP8,000 for members, PHP7,000 for supervisors, and PHP5,000 for support staff.

A PHP500 per day Covid-19 hazard pay for the authorized poll workers is also requested.