Government allots P760 million for extra honorarium of poll workers

MANILA, Philippines — The government has allocated nearly P760 million to provide an additional P1,000 honorarium to teachers and poll workers who served during last week’s midterm elections.

In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced the approval of P758.46 million to fund the across-the-board increase. The amount is on top of the previously announced P2,000 hike in allowances for election service personnel.

The additional compensation will benefit 758,549 teachers and poll workers who manned polling precincts during the May 12 national and local elections.

Under existing election laws, individuals rendering election service are entitled to various forms of compensation, including honoraria, travel, communication and meal allowances, as well as service credits.

Pangandaman said the budget release complies with President Marcos’ directive to recognize the critical role of poll workers as frontliners in upholding the democratic right to vote.

Poll workers are expected to receive their full compensation, including the newly approved increases, within 10 days following the conduct of the elections. — Evelyn Macairan