DBM approves additional P1,000 pay for poll workers
Members of the Board of Election Inspectors receive the automated counting machines and ballot boxes being distributed at the Nemesio Yabut Elementary School in Makati City early on Monday, May 12, 2025 for Eleksyon 2025. Tina Panganiban-Perez/GMA Integrated News/File photo
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday announced that it has approved an additional P1,000 across-the-board honoraria for teachers and other poll workers who served during the May 12 national and local elections.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the DBM authorized the release of P758.459 million to cover the budgetary requirement for the additional P1,000 allowance of the electoral board, in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
This was on top of the P2,000 across-the-board compensation initially authorized by the DBM, funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
'Nakikinig po tayo, lalo na sa hinaing ng ating mga guro na karamihan po, inabot pa ng madaling araw o hindi na natulog para siguraduhing bawat boto natin ay mabibilang nang tama at mapoprotektahan,' Pangandaman said in a statement.
(We are listening, especially to the complaints of our teachers—most of them were still working past midnight or were not able to sleep just to ensure that our votes would be protected and be counted correctly.)
'That's the least we can do to honor their invaluable service. 'Yan po ay isang paraan ng ating pasasalamat sa kanila [this is our way of thanking them],' she added.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the additional compensation, emphasizing its benefit to thousands of public school teachers and staff who served long hours before and during the elections.
He also pointed out how the record 81.65% voter turnout this year reflected the hard work of the teachers and personnel.
'More than a financial relief, this additional allowance is symbolic of the country's respect for teachers as guardians of democracy,' Angara said in a separate statement.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) estimated the total number of poll workers for the recently concluded midterm polls at 758,549—majority of whom are public school teachers.
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said Friday that the poll body is targeting to complete the payment for teachers at least less than ten days after the May 12 Election Day. —KG, GMA Integrated News
For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
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