DepEd: Teachers to get increased poll honoraria allowances

On Wednesday, April 6, the Department of Education (DepEd) said higher honoraria and additional allowances will be given to teachers who will serve as poll workers in the May 9 national and local polls.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said they have coordinated with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) closely to guarantee increased allowances for the teachers.

More than a year na kaming nag-negotiate para rito dahil talagang deserving naman ang ating teachers ng suporta, hindi naman in exchange, dahil sila ay nagsisilbi sa bayan,

she said.

Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the board chairman will now receive PHP7,000 or PHP1,000 higher compared to the 2019 mid-term elections, while board members will get PHP6,000, supervising official – PHP5,000, and support staff with PHP3,000.

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Moreover, teachers will be also given various allowances including PHP2,000 transportation allowance; PHP1,500 communication stipend; PHP500 anti-Covid-19 allowance; and medical and accident insurances.

However, DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua said lawmakers were unable to amend the provisions amid their call to make the increased allowances tax-free, even with the support of COMELEC (Commission on Elections).

Kahit nga ang BIR ay uma-agree rin sa ating layunin, subalit may batas na kinakailangang i-amend bago ang exemption at ‘yan pong amendment sa batas ay hindi po nagawa ng kongreso. Kaya hanggang ngayon po ang ating honoraria at saka ang allowances, ay hindi sila tax-exempted,

he said.

Meanwhile, teachers are being trained and oriented for the new normal election process by the DepEd Election Task Force together with the COMELEC by conducting briefings and consultations with regional offices.

Briones also strongly advised teachers not to join partisan political activities and other issuances released regarding the matter, especially for the involvement of kids to public events due to its risk factors.