THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the additional P1,000 across-the-board election allowance for teachers and other poll workers who served during the just concluded 2025 national and local elections.
In a statement, budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman said she approved the release of P758.459 million to cover the budgetary requirement for the additional P1,000 election honoraria of teachers and poll workers.
This is on top of the P2,000 allowance increase approved by the DBM last week.
Pangandaman said the additional honoraria is in compliance with the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to honor the service of teachers and poll workers in the May 12 elections.
“Muli po nating nakita ang dedikasyon ng ating mga guro at poll workers sa pagbabantay ng ating mga boto ngayong eleksyon. Kaya naman, sa utos po ng ating mahal na Pangulo, inaprubahan po natin ang additional na pondo para mabigyan sila ng karagdagang honoraria. That's the least we can do to honor their invaluable service. 'Yan po ay isang paraan ng ating pasasalamat sa kanila,” Marcos said.
(Once again, we have witnessed the dedication of our teachers and poll workers in safeguarding our votes during this election. That’s why, under the directive of our beloved President, we have approved additional funding to provide them with extra honoraria. That's the least we can do to honor their invaluable service. This is one way for us to express our gratitude to them.)
“Nakikinig po tayo -- lalo na sa hinaing ng ating mga guro na karamihan po, inabot pa ng madaling araw o hindi na natulog para siguraduhing bawat boto natin ay mabibilang nang tama at mapoprotektahan,” she added.
(We are listening — especially to the concerns of our teachers, many of whom stayed up until the early hours of the morning or did not sleep at all just to ensure that every vote is counted correctly and protected.)
Pangandaman said the additional election allowance will be received by the teachers and other poll workers within 10 days after May 12.
In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his gratitude for the additional compensation, noting its significance to thousands of public school teachers and staff who served long hours to safeguard the country’s electoral process.
“We thank President Marcos and DBM Secretary Pangandaman for their swift action to recognize the dedication of our teachers who served as poll workers. Every hour they spent at the precincts, many working past midnight, is a testament to their public service,” Angara said.
“More than a financial relief, this additional allowance is symbolic of the country’s respect for teachers as guardians of democracy,” he added.
Angara also highlighted that the preparations of the teachers and personnel contributed to the record-breaking voter turnout in this year’s elections.
“With an 81.65 percent voter turnout, the highest in Comelec history, we know our teachers and staff played a vital role in ensuring the credibility, order, and success of the polls,” Angara said. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)