THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers urged the government to increase the honoraria and allowances of teachers who render poll duties.

The group said that teachers will better appreciate the grant of a bigger poll honoraria than its early payment.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier called on the Commission on Elections to advance the poll pay of teachers.

“Sa nakaraang dalawang halalan naman ay ibinibigay na ang travel allowance bago pa idaos ang eleksyon. Ang problema ay kulang ito, habang walang ibinibigay na food allowance, kung kaya nag-aabono ang mga BEI sa mga gastusin. Ang nararapat ay taasan ang travel allowance at magbigay ng food allowance dahil ang honorarium ay kompensasyon sa serbisyo at hindi dapat na gamiting panggastos sa pamasahe at pagkain habang nagsisilbi sa halalan,” Vladimer Quetua, ACT chairperson, said.

For the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the group sought a P1,000 increase in the honoraria for the chairman and members of the board of election inspectors.

It also wants an increase in travel allowance from P2,000 to P3,000, and a grant of P2,500 food allowance citing the rising inflation.

“Our poll workers only deserve honoraria and allowances that justly compensate the strenuous and hazardous election duties. If the Congress sees it fit to give P10,000 per day to members of the planned Constitutional Convention, it is all the more justified to grant P10,000 net honorarium to teachers and other election workers who dedicate an average of five to seven days to election service,” Quetua said.