THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P758.459 million for the additional P1,000 election allowance ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for school teachers and poll watchers who served during the recently concluded 2025 midterm elections.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing in Malacañang, said the P1,000 is on top of the P2,000 across-the-board increase in election honorarium that was approved and funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
“The DBM has approved the release of P758.459 million to cover the budgetary requirement for the additional P1,000 election honoraria of our teachers and poll workers. This is different from the P2,000 increase that was announced last week,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a news release, adding that this is in compliance with the order of the President “to recognize the indispensable role of poll workers and teachers as frontliners in safeguarding the Filipino people’s right to vote.”
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has estimated the total number of poll workers for the 2025 national and local elections at 758,549.
Castro said that as a result of the new honoraria rates, the chairperson of the Electoral Board is now set to receive P13,000; poll clerks and the third member of the board will each receive P12,000; and the support staff will receive P9,000 each.
“Hindi po matatawaran ang serbisyo ng higit 750,000 poll workers na inabot na ng madaling araw sa mga presinto o hindi na natulog matiyak lang na mabilang ng tama at ma-protektahan ang ating mga boto, saludo po kami sa inyong dedikasyon (The service of more than 750,000 poll workers who arrived at the precincts at dawn or did not sleep at all just to ensure that our votes are counted correctly and protected cannot be underestimated. We salute your dedication),” she said.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara welcomed the additional honoraria for teachers and poll workers as he underscored the important roles played public school teachers and support personnel in the elections.
“Every hour they spent at the voting precincts, many working past midnight, is a testament to their dedication and public service. More than a financial relief, this additional allowance is a symbol of the country’s respect for teachers as guardians of democracy,” Angara said in a statement.
He said that their hard work and dedication resulted in what the Comelec has described as a record-breaking turnout of voters in the May 12 polls.
“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,” he said.
The DepEd chief also expressed the department’s gratitude to the President and the DBM for granting the additional allowance. – With Ashzel Hachero
