THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers called on officials of the Commission on Elections to attend a dialogue to tackle its demand for higher election service compensation.

ACT is waiting for the Comelec’s response to its urgent request for dialogue submitted on November 25.

“We are calling on Comelec to address the pressing issues of teachers who will serve as its frontliners in the coming 2022 national elections. The most urgent of which is our unmet demand for higher honoraria and allowances,” ACT NCR Union President Vladimer Quetua said.

“Hindi naman kaila sa lahat ang laki ng responsibilidad ng mga guro tuwing eleksiyon at ang kakabit din nitong mga panganib, higit pang mas mapanghamon ang paparating na eleksiyon na magaganap sa gitna ng pandemya at mas malalang sosyo-ekonomikong krisis. The commission should at once resolve the welfare concerns of its main machinery, which should be part of the preps for the big day,” he added.

The group earlier expressed dismay at the minimal increase in poll workers’ pay.

It sought an honoraria increase for chairpersons of the Electoral Board from P7,000 to P10,000; P6,000 to P9,000 for Electoral Board members; P5,000 to P8,000 for DepEd supervisors; and P3,000 to P7,000 for support staff.

The group also pushed for the increase in travel allowances from P2,000 to at least P3,000 for those in urban areas or city proper and up to P5,000 for those coming from more remote areas.

The group reiterated its call for a P500 Anti-Covid19 allowance and provision of overtime pay.

“An increase in poll workers’ honoraria of at least P3,000 across the board and the rest of the adjustments in allowances we are demanding will only amount to a total of about P2 billion—a small amount that can give due recognition and proper remuneration to those who will be at the frontlines of possibly one of the most taxing elections considering the circumstances. We are certain that COMELEC has the capacity to accommodate such fair demands,” Quetua said.

“We reiterate that the Comelec should ensure the welfare of teacher-poll workers while we do our duty of ensuring the proper conduct of the elections. Settle our concerns right now, so we can better work together in providing services to the Filipino people on this important undertaking,” he added.