By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Koko Pimentel has voiced his support for the push to increase compensation for teachers and poll workers.
“Napakahalaga ng gampanin ng mga guro sa pagseseguro ng malinis, maayos, at matiwasay na halalan sa 2025. Sa mga ‘hot spots’ na lugar sa bansa, hindi maiwasang malagay sa panganib ang kaligtasan at buhay ng mga guro at poll workers,” Pimentel said in a statement on Saturday (October 12, 2024).
“Kaya huwag na nating ipagkait pa ang kakarampot na benepisyong ito. Itodo na natin ang honoraria na karapat-dapat sa mga guro at iba pang poll workers. Their election-related benefits should be tax-exempt,” the senator added.
Pimentel’s statement follows the proposal from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) to increase the honoraria, allowances, and legal protections for teachers serving as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).
“We need to honor the sacrifices of our teachers and other poll workers. Their work during election periods is both difficult and dangerous. It is only right that we provide them with higher and tax-exempt compensation,” the senator emphasized.
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