Poll benefits
WITHOUT doubt, government-employed school teachers play a stellar role in ensuring the holding of free, honest, peaceful and credible elections in the Philippines.
Thus, we doff our hat to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for vowing to increase benefits for school mentors serving in next year’s national and local polls.
No less than Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, one of the nation’s top election lawyers, made the announcement, drawing cheers and praises from various teacher organizations.
In a meeting with teachers, Garcia vowed to implement the previously announced P2,000 increase in honorarium on election day.
This is on top of a transportation allowance of P1,000, also on the day of the political exercise, which is May 12.
On this day, the nation goes to the polls anew to elect 12 senators, more than 300 members of the House of Representatives and thousands of local government officials.
Public school teachers act as chairmen and members of the board of election inspectors (BEI) on the day of the election.
After the elections, some school teachers face court charges filed by defeated candidates.
“Hindi lang nakakapagod ang trabaho ng mga guro. Delikado pa. lalo na sa mga lugar na may mga private armed groups,” a retired teacher said.
Let’s then ensure the school teachers’ safety, health and welfare before, during and even after the elections.
It’s a must!
