DepEd assures support for 640k poll workers

As part of the agency’s commitment to free and clean elections, the Department of Education (DepEd) shared the current preparation of the Election Task Force (ETF) 2022 to assist the field office during the National and Local Elections this coming May 09.

“We want to ensure that the necessary assistance to the field offices and schools, especially to teachers who will serve as BEIs, will be provided by the Central Office. We want our personnel to be equipped with adequate information and technical and legal assistance along the way,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

“During the upcoming elections, we are also prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of the personnel who will participate in the election through enough financial assistance since we are still in the middle of the pandemic,” she added.

According to the report of Director IV and ETF Head Atty. Marcelo Bragado, Jr. during the EduAksyon Press Conference on April 28, around 647,812 DepEd personnel will serve as poll workers during the election day.

DepEd also noted that 319,317 of them are members of the electoral boards, 200,627 are EB Support Staff, 38,989 are DepEd Supervisor Official (DESO), 87,162 are DESO Support Staff, and 1,717 are DepEd members of the Board of Canvassers.

Furthermore, DepEd is actively coordinating and engaging with COMELEC, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines for the safety of the electoral board members and voters during the election period.

“Tayo rin po ay may mga pagpupulong na pinuntahan kasama ng COMELEC para po pag-usapan ang lahat ng mga benepisyo para sa ikagaganda ng eleksyon na ito, para sa ating mga guro, at mga kawani ng Kagawaran,” Atty. Bragado higlighted.

Moreover, the Department likewise ensured the agency’s active participation in the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Advisory Council (CAC). EFT Head Bragado reported that there would be 106,439 clustered precincts from 37,219 polling centers (schools) nationwide.

DepED Election Task Force (ETF) Operation and Monitoring Center shall be established in the Bulwagan ng Karunungan starting 1:00 p.m. of May 08 until 5:00 p.m. of May 10.

The center will ensure close coordination and consultation between COMELEC, DepEd, and its field offices. Legal, technical, and other assistance will be given to teachers on issues, concerns, and problems that may arise before, during, and after the May 09 NLE and coordination with other government agencies.

“I am encouraging all our personnel and learners who are registered voters to actively participate in the National and Local Elections this coming May 9 and vote based on their conscience. This will also help us achieve a better future for the learners,” Secretary Briones noted.