Increase in honorarium, service credits pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  Department of Education (DepEd)-7 regional director Salustiano Jimenez is pushing for an increase in both the monetary compensation and the number of service credits for teachers and non-teaching personnel who will serve as poll workers in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

Jimenez said they are now starting the preparations, in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), for the elections in May next year.

“I, personally as regional director, will push for both the service credits and the monetary consideration for the teachers,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez said the regional office will commit to adequately compensate teachers for their efforts.

“We know for a fact that it's not easy to serve during elections. The risk and even the sleepless nights, there are a lot of that. So might as well, they will be compensated through this,” said Jimenez.

In relation to this, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is championing in Congress the initiative to increase the teachers’ honoraria, allowances, and protection benefits of poll workers.

Pimentel addressed concerns raised by poll workers regarding the tax deductions from their honoraria.

In the 2022 national and local elections, teachers involved in election-related services were entitled to specific honoraria, as outlined in Resolution No. 10727 issued by the Comelec.

Chairpersons of Electoral Boards received P7,000; Election Board members got P6,000, DepEd Supervisors earned P5,000, and Support Staff got P3,000, respectively.

However, all these amounts were subjected to a 20 percent value-added tax (VAT), which reduced their actual take home pay.

Meanwhile, all government officials and employees who serve as members of the Electoral Boards and District Election Supervisors (DESO), as well as their support staff, will earn a minimum of five days of service credit.

Other than the monetary compensation, Jimenez also noted that in previous elections, they implemented legal counsel for teachers in order to protect them from any potential challenges or issues that may arise while they fulfill their electoral duties.

Currently, school division offices (SDO) have begun identifying teachers who will serve in various capacities.

  While there has not yet been a formal meeting with Comelec officials, Jimenez is positive that all coordination will be realized in an orderly manner.

“We know for a fact that our teachers and non-teaching personnel in the DepEd are always ready for this service above oneself,” said Jimenez. (CEBU NEWS)