Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Some teachers checked out for the first time on Wednesday (March 2) the voting machines they will be operating on election day.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) trained them for their task as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).
Irma Guerrero, a teacher who is on her tenth round of elections duty, said she is bracing herself for the difficulties ahead, as they will be facing pressure from candidates’ supporters, poll watchers, and even voters.
“Yung buhay nila at risk. Yung binabayad sa amin is kulang pa kapag may nangyari sa teacher,” Guerrero said.
Despite the challenges the job entails, more than 300,000 teachers still volunteered for election duty.
The Comelec said every post is accounted for and there is no shortage in teachers even if many of them feel short-changed with their pay.
If there’s any consolation, the law now raises their election duty pay from P3,000 to P5,000 plus allowances. President Benigno Aquino III just needs to sign it.
Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the teachers are more than deserving of a raise as they volunteered to serve with or without higher pay.
Bautista said nothing beats the dedication and idealism of teachers.
“Ako din naman ay naniniwala na ang pangunahing dahilan ng mga teacher na gustong mag-serve sa BEI ay hindi naman talaga yung pera. Kung hindi nga ay kumbaga ay yung kanilang patriotic duty to our country. Sila ang sandigan ng ating demokrasya,” Bautista said.
Bautista added the health department will set up medical assistance desks in polling centers on election day. One of the reasons is to help teachers who may fall ill or get injured during their long hours of election duty.
