A GROUP of teachers is calling for the immediate release of their election honorarium, which they said must be "tax-free."

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in Northern Mindanao initiated protest actions before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), asking the agency not to impose the five-percent tax on the teachers’ honorarium and travel allowance.

ACT-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Ophelia Tabacon said a BIR circular dated April 14, 2018 states that honoraria and travel allowances are subject to five percent withholding tax.

“Kami gikondena na namo kay dili na angay kuhaan kay direct expense namo na siya,” she said.

The group also had a dialogue with Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials, pressuring them to release the honorarium.

The Comelec officials reportedly promised to release half of the honorarium before the barangay and youth council elections with the other half supposedly be given upon the delivery of election results.

But it has been almost a week since the elections, and the teachers who served as electoral boards and support staff still have not received a penny.

Based on Republic Act (RA) 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act, poll workers are entitled to the corresponding honoraria: Chairperson of the Electoral Boards, P6,000; Members of Electoral Boards, P5,000; Department of Education Supervisor Official P4,000 and Support Staff P 2,000.

They are also entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000 each.

“Ang pag-serve namo sa elections is dili namo expertise, it’s pure public service so dili dapat mag-impose og tax,” she added.

Tabacon said the Comelec promised them to release their honorarium on Tuesday, May 22, exactly a week after the elections.

The honoraria and travel allowances will be paid either in cash or through the Development Bank of the Philippines cash card.

Based on RA 10756, only public school teachers, who are willing and available, shall be tasked to render election day services. (Pamela Jay Orias)