THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be conducting a mock election on February 6 in three public schools in Davao City, education official said Friday.
Department of Education (DepEd)-Southern Mindanao Regional Director Susana Teresa Estigoy said the mock polls would be conducted at Generoso Elementary School (ES) in Talomo District, Matina Aplaya Elementary School in Matina District, and St. Jude Elementary School in Buhangin District.
Estigoy said the mock elections will be open only to some of the voting public in the area. She did not specify.
Estigoy said heads and representatives from DepEd were briefed last week by Comelec's central agency in Mania.
"Regarding the trainings, they will still be held in March but based on the report given to me by those I sent in Manila, the process is something that is not very difficult. Nothing to worry in terms of what the teachers will be trained to do. The BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors) need not perform very complicated computer work skills," Estigoy said during Friday's Kapihan sa PIA.
She, however, said concern should be given to the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines efficiency.
Estigoy also announced DepEd and Comelecs’ agreement on the BEIs' honorarium.
BEIs are expected to get a total of P4,300 for their services in the 2010 polls.
"Education Secretary Jesli Lapus and Commission on Elections chairman Jose Melo signed a memorandum of agreement dated January 21 to ensure fair compensation for the teachers," Estigoy said.
Based on DepEd's report on the matter, Undersecretary Franklin Sunga and Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal came to an agreement on teacher compensation package last December. In the MOA signed, the poll body agreed to the compensation demands by various teachers’ organizations.
Those who will participate in the 2010 elections are expected to receive the following: members of the BEIs, including the chair, will get P3,000 each, plus P300 transportation allowance; another P500 will be given for the inspection, verification, and sealing of book of voters plus another P500 for the inspection, verification, and sealing of the PCOS.
Likewise, team leaders (school heads, principals and education supervisors who are not members of the BEI) who will supervise certain precincts will receive P3,000.
Janitors and messengers who will be assigned in certain precincts during the elections will get P1,500, while members of board of canvassers in the municipal, city and provincial levels will get P5,000.
Estigoy said the Comelec will set aside P30 million to be allotted for election-related death or injuries that may be sustained by DepEd employees in the performance of their duties.
The heirs of the deceased official/employee shall be given the amount of P200,000, Estigoy added.
The DepEd report said the provisions have received positive feedback from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC), and the Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (Assert).