Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has assured the safety of teachers serving in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
This after the Department of Education, the Commission on Elections, and the Public Attorney’s Office signed a memorandum of agreement Monday afternoon.
“We hope that teachers who will serve in the elections will be protected from harassment, intimidation, and other forms of threats to their lives,” Duterte said.
The agreement will provide a system to ensure teachers serving as members of the Electoral Board and other DepEd personnel involved in the electoral process will receive legal assistance.
Anchored on the desire to fully implement the provisions of Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act, the memorandum of agreement was signed by Duterte, Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia, and PAO chief Persida Acosta at the Comelec office in Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros.
Teachers tasked to serve during the elections expose themselves and their families to the dangers of being intimidated, harassed, or even killed, as violence often flares up between warring politicians.
Despite these, teachers continue to serve in the elections out of their commitment, courage, and love of the country, Duterte said.
“This is purely because of their love of country,” she said.
The Vice President emphasized the important role of teachers in the successful conduct of the elections, calling them the frontline government representatives who will ensure the smooth flow of the election process.
“We owe them our gratitude, assistance, protection, and legal support,” she said.
Duterte also called on the Comelec to release the allowances of teachers serving in the elections on time.
Duterte was grateful to the Comelec and PAO for the initiative that showed their concern for the safety and welfare of teachers.