Where did the money go for payment of teachers’ poll duty

EDITORIAL

Majority of public school teachers who served in the last barangay elections have not received the P500 transportation allowance promised them, according to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).

ACT secretary-general Francisca Castro belied reports that teachers who got their honoraria were given P2,500 each. “They got only the honorarium of P2,000 each from the Commission on Elections, as the supposed P500 transportation allowance was passed on to the responsibility of local government units, majority of which already said even before the elections that they could not afford the cost,” Castro said.

Castro also noted that teachers in different parts of the country have yet to receive their honoraria. She called on public school teachers to join a protest rally at the Comelec central office in Manila not only on the honoraria issue, but also to protest the poll body’s supposed plan to charge teachers who, fearing for their safety, refused to serve in the recent polls had  in 13 barangays in Pikit, North Cotabato.

“Why don’t Comelec officials try manning precincts in the most violent-prone areas for them to understand how teachers feel?” Castro asked.   

               

It is not only areas in Mindanao where violence is prone during elections and teachers are filled with anxiety and fear for their safety due to warring politicians and their supporters who  force, harass or coerce them to do their wishes so they can maintain or attain elective posts.

                 

If the goverment cannot assure their safety during elections through the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police, then they should not be forced to serve during elections and other sectors could be tapped for poll duty.