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January 27, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have teamed up to ensure smooth preparations for the upcoming 2022 National and Local 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,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said during the virtual Memorandum of Agreement signing on January 25.

According to the MOA, DepEd will spearhead the process of selecting teachers who will serve as members of the electoral board. Meanwhile, DOST will be in-charge of the upskilling activities and certification under the Automated Election Law.

The agencies assured the public that members of the electoral board will undergo training and written examination, which will be held virtually, and practical examination on the use of the vote-counting machines.

Secretary Briones also expressed her gratitude to the Commission for granting the increase of the honorarium of the members of electoral boards, which will be composed of teachers.

“I would like to express our appreciation to the Comelec, the Chairman and all the officials, for the generous adjustments in honoraria and allowances for the members of the electoral board, which we were advocating for in DepEd,” she said.

According to the released COMELEC Resolution No. 10727, the Chairperson of the Electoral Boards will now receive P7,000; Members of Electoral Boards – P6,000; Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO) – P5,000; and Support Staff – P3,000.

“Ang DepEd naman, sa bawat eleksyon, 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 eleksyon para sa ating bayan,” shared COMELEC Chairman Sheriff Abas.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua revealed that as of January 19, around 681,283 teaching and non-teaching personnel have already submitted their application for digital signature based on the data on DepEd Learning Management System.

Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Revsee Escobedo and key officials from COMELEC and DOST attended the momentous MOA signing.

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