THE DEPARTMENT of Education expressed support to the Commission on Elections in securing a higher budget from Congress for the honoraria and allowances of teachers who will serve in next year’s polls.

“Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in helping the Comelec secure a higher budget from Congress to provide additional benefits for our DepEd personnel,” the department said in a statement.

“To establish extra layers of protection for our personnel and schools amidst the pandemic, we will support the Commission in justifying the benefits,” it added.

The department asked for special risk allowance equivalent to a maximum of 25 percent of the monthly basic salary/pay; food and water allowance amounting to P1,000 per day; health insurance coverage for those who will be infected by Covid19 and the provision of vitamins and other immune-boosting supplements.

It also requested for provision of swab testing and other health services in case of subsistence of Covid19 during the period of the 2022 national elections; funds for the clean-up and repair/maintenance expenses of every public school used as a voting center; and honoraria for members of the DepEd Monitoring and Coordination Teams of the 2022 DepEd Election Task Force.

“We will continue to coordinate with Comelec these significant requests for our teachers and poll workers, who are dedicated to champion clean, safe, and fair elections next year,” the DepEd stressed.

Last November, the poll body released its approved honoraria and allowances for members of the Electoral Board and other poll workers.

However, DepEd said the rates were below its proposed remuneration in June, which was approved by Comelec subject to revision.

The agency proposed the following honoraria rates based on the Consumer Price Index and inflation rate as of January 2021: P9,000 for electoral board chairpersons; P8,000 for EB members; P7,000 for DepEd supervisors; and P5,000 for support staff.