DepEd in its report said that 319,317 of 647,812 are members of the electoral boards (EB), 200,627 are EB Support Staff, 38,989 are DepEd Supervisor Official (DESO), 87,162 are DESO Support Staff, and 1,717 are DepEd members of the Board of Canvassers.
“We want to ensure that the necessary assistance to the field offices and schools, especially to teachers who will serve as BEIs, will be provided by the Central Office. We want our personnel to be equipped with adequate information and technical and legal assistance along the way,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
Briones emphasized that during the upcoming elections, they are also prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of the personnel who will participate in the election through enough financial assistance since the country is still in the middle of the pandemic.
She said the department is now actively coordinating and engaging with COMELEC, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines for the safety of the electoral board members and voters during the election period.
DepEd, likewise ensured the agency’s active participation in the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Advisory Council (CAC).
DepEd reported that there would be 106,439 clustered precincts from 37,219 polling centers (schools) nationwide.
DepED Election Task Force (ETF) Operation and Monitoring Center shall be established in the Bulwagan ng Karunungan starting 1:00 p.m. of May 08 until 5 p.m. of May 10.
The center will ensure close coordination and consultation between COMELEC, DepEd, and its field offices. Legal, technical, and other assistance will be given to teachers on issues, concerns, and problems that may arise before, during, and after the May 09 NLE and coordination with other government agencies.
Briones encouraged its personnel and learners who are registered voters to actively participate in the National and Local Elections this coming May 9 and vote based on their conscience.
“This will also help us achieve a better future for the learners,” Briones said.
Photo from DepEd Central