ACT demands release of poll honoraria

CEBU, Philippines - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Partylist is demanding from the Commission on Elections the immediate release of the honoraria of teachers and other personnel of the Department of Education who served in the last May 10 elections.

ACT Partylist has observed that some of the district supervisors and division superintendents who served as members of the board of election canvassers in Central Visayas have not been paid of their allowance.

 ACT provincial coordinator Glodel Dexter Flores is demanding from the Comelec to expedite the release of their payment for the services rendered during the elections.

 “Yes, we are obliged but hatagan unta mi what is due to us as teachers” Flores said.

Flores said they have been on a receiving-end of complaints from teachers who until now have not been paid by the Comelec.

The teachers from all over the region are asking the help of the group to pressure the Comelec to release their honoraria. The partylist group is wondering why until now the Comelec has not paid the honoraria when the teachers have already submitted the requirements long ago.

The group is also disappointed of the Comelec’s response to their request for an additional P2,000 of their honorarium. According to them, they were insulted by the P500 granted by the poll body.

ACT members felt that the amount is very much “degrading” for them as teachers.

They are appealing to the Comelec to hear their cries and feel how they sacrificed themselves during the elections by skipping their meals, without taking snacks and using their own money.

Edgar Gahisan, ACT regional coordinator, could not help but compare the poll automation from the old manual system. He said the manual system was better because they can already have half of their honoraria upon receipt of the election paraphernalia while the remaining half is paid immediately after the elections.

 “Maypa to sa una nga manual voting kay makadawat pa ta og katunga pero karon wala gyud tawn” Gahisan said. — THE FREEMAN