Comelec releases new rates of honoraria for poll workers

By Mark A. Gomez

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued on Dec. 20 the new guidelines for the compensation of election service or honoraria of poll workers in the May 2022 national and local elections.

Lawyer Maico Julia Jr., Comelec Camarines Sur spokesperson, said the honoraria for election service are now higher than those given in previous elections.

Julia enumerated the new honoraria rates of each poll worker, which are as follow: P 9,500 for Electoral Board chairperson; P 8,500 for poll clerk and third member; P5,500 for support staff.

The DepEd Supervisor Official (DESO) will receive P9,000; DESO Safety Protocol Officer Support Staff - P5,500; and DESO Technical Support Staff - P7,000.

Meanwhile, medical personnel, DESO Emergency Accessible Polling place support staff and Isolation Polling Place Support staff are entitled to P4,500/each.

Person who dies rendering service during the election shall be entitled a death benefit of P 500,000. An amount of not exceeding P200,000 shall also be given as a medical assistance to the person who is hospitalized rendering service during the election.

These honoraria shall be paid within fifteen days from the date of election. Any person who makes or causes delay in the payment for election service beyond 15 days from the date of election shall be liable for an election offense, Julia said.

According to Julia the selection of poll workers will undergo stringent process. Trainings/seminars will be conducted to assure the competency of the personnel who will serve during next year national and local elections.