Poll workers
IT is certainly reassuring to know that personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd), notably teachers, performing election duties on May 9 are assured of necessary support.
In fact, DepEd, headed by Secretary Leonor Briones, is prioritizing the health, safety and welfare of its almost 650,000 personnel who will participate in the upcoming elections.
The school teachers work as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in 106,439 clustered precincts from 37,219 schools turned polling precincts nationwide.
In a press statement last Friday, Secretary Briones said “we want our personnel to be equipped with adequate information and technical and legal assistance along the way.”
This, despite the fact that top education authorities failed to secure the adjustment in election duty honoraria and tax exemption that they wanted from the government.
Reports said Congress did not exempt the teachers’ election pay and allowances from taxes.
Under the country’s National Internal Revnue Code of 1997, Filipinos with annual taxable income beyond P250,000 are subject to a 20-percent tax.
DepEd is also coordinating with the Comelec, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the safety of its personnel and the country’s registered voters.
In the view of various quarters, the thousands of public school teachers, as BEI members, play a crucial role in ensuring clean, honest and credible elections in the Philippines.
That’s why there’s a need to ensure their health, safety and welfare before, during and after an election.
