By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent
THE Department of Education (DepEd) City School’s Division, here, is all set and ready for the coming May 9 automated synchronized national and local election, an official said.
DepEd assistant city school division superintendent Dr. Rey Manuel told Gold Star Daily that all elementary and high school classrooms in all levels are now ready to be used as polling precincts for the polls next month.
“We are 100% ready for the coming election, apil ang tanang mga school facilities. Tanan nga eskwelahan within DepEd Cagayan de Oro. We already (gave) advises to all the principals to take necessary measures para ma-ensure nga successful atong election,” he said.
He said the polling assignments used during the midterm elections in 2013 will also be used in the polls on May 9.
“Walay mga dagko nga mga damages ang gikahitabo matag-election sa atong mga rooms. Ang reklamo lang sa mga teachers is (the increased volume of trash) in every classroom used as a polling precincts,” he added.
Manuel also said more teachers have signified to serve during the coming election despite the approval of a bill in the House of Representatives which allowed public school teachers to opt out of election duty.
“Daghan ang gusto mag-serve karon moabot og 80 ngadto sa 90 porsyento,” he pointed out.
Out of more than 650,000 teaching personnel in the country, DepEd reported that about 233,487 teachers would be need for the 2016 elections.
The Department of Education reported that more or less 233,487 teachers will be needed for the 2016 elections. The education department has already submitted a list of teachers who may serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).
Under Senate Bill 2178 –– The Election Service Reform Act (ERSA) –– the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may appoint the following in case there would be a lack of election officers: private school teachers, national government employees (except military officers), members of Comelec-accredited citizens’ arms, and any voter with no political affiliations.
If no other qualified voter volunteers, personnel from the Philippine National Police would be tapped. The Senate bill, which was adopted by the House of Representatives, has yet to be signed into law by President Benigno Aquino, III.
Manuel said the department is right on track (with) its preparations for the 2016 elections.
“Kung ready na ang eskwelahan, magpa–kondisyon sila karon. Magpahulay og andam magbilar to ensure for a successful conduct of the election,” he added.
Teachers would receive an honorarium of P4,500, a P500 increase from the 2013 rate. The actual honorarium is P3 thousand. The P500 will be used for the verification and sealing of the book of voters; another P500 for the final testing and sealing of the vote-counting machines; and P500 as transportation allowance.
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