THE DEPARTMENT of Education signed a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Elections and the Department of Science and Technology to ensure smooth preparations for this year’s elections.

“With three agencies working and cooperating very closely and linking our various campaigns, we can communicate with the public our joint efforts to assure free, fair, and clean elections,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said during the virtual signing of the agreement.

Under the agreement, DepEd will spearhead the process of selecting teachers who will serve as members of the electoral board. The DOST will be in charge of the upskilling activities and certification under the Automated Election Law.

Members of the electoral board will undergo training and written and practical examination on the use of the vote-counting machines.

Briones thanked the Comelec for increasing the honorarium of the members of electoral boards, which will be composed of teachers.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10727, an electoral board chairman will receive P7,000; members will get P6,000, Department of Education supervisor, P5,000 and support staff, P3,000.

“Ang DepEd naman, sa bawat eleksiyon, plebesito at ang lahat ng ating electoral exercise, ay alam ng bawat Pilipino na tumutulong sa Comelec ay ang ating mga guro. Hinding-hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyo ng mga teacher tuwing eleksiyon para sa ating bayan,” Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said.