TAGUM CITY — The Department of Education (Deped) has welcomed the passage of Election Service Reform Act which makes poll duty a non-compulsory act for public school teachers.
In a statement, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that it always welcome legislations that promote and uphold the rights and safety of our teachers.
“We are confident that our public school teachers will always be ready to help and serve our countrymen,” Luistro said.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson Andres Bautista said the new law provides another opportunity to other people who are willing to serve as election officers.
Under the newly signed Election Service Reform Act, the poll body can appoint private school teachers, national government employees except military personnel, non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education and members of citizen’s arms and non-government and civil society organizations as election officers.
Bautista, however, emphasized that citizen’s arms and NGOs should be accredited by the poll body. (davaotoday.com)
