DepEd opens command centers to assist teachers in poll duty

MANILA, Philippines – On the eve of election day, the Department of Education (DepEd) activated command centers to assist public school teachers serving poll duties. 

The DepEd Election Task Force (ETF) opened at 1 pm on Sunday, May 8, and will provide assistance until 10 pm a day after the May 9 elections. The command centers are located at DepEd central, regional, and division offices, according to Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affair Alberto Muyot. 

Teachers regularly serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), conducting the voting and counting proceedings in the national and local elections. This will change the next elections because of a new law making election service no longer compulsory for them. 

The command centers will provide teachers the necessary information and technical assistance, Muyot said.

DepEd supervisors will also roam polling centers to observe and provide assistance on site. When problems arise, Muyot said the DepEd supervisors are the ones expected to make coordinations with the ETF command offices and make sure that the BEIs do not have to leave their posts. 

DepEd has also tapped the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to provide legal assistance to teachers who will face complaints over alleged election offenses. 

In partnership with Comelec and Rappler, DepEd earlier held an online seminar for public school teachers with election duties. (WATCH: #PHVoteBEI Webinar)

The webinar, held at the Rappler office, will prepare the public school teachers and reinforce their knowledge of the Automated Election System (AES). It will also address related issues and concerns, specifically the Supreme Court decision on the issuance of voting receipts and the recent amendments to the initial instructions given to them.

The DepEd National Hotlines for ETF Operation Center are the following: (02) 633-7205, 633-5429, 637-3743, 638-8636, 638-7530, 638-7531, 634-0222, 631-6033, 706-5332 and 635-9817; tf (02) 635-0551 and 633-1940. – Rappler.com