Press Release
February 14, 2013

Sen. Bongbong Marcos suggests hazard pay for teachers
assigned in election hotspots

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. has suggested to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to give hazard pay to teachers who would be assigned in poll "hotspots" in the May elections.

Marcos aired this suggestion as he also expressed concern over the safety of teachers who would be posted in over 800 poll hotspot areas, or election watch list areas (EWAs).

"In hotspot areas where the threat of violence is alarmingly high and poses danger to the teachers, hazard pay must be given to them," Marcos said.

Marcos' proposed hazard pay for teachers to be assigned in EWAs is on top of the regular poll duty pay that all teachers who will render service in the elections are entitled to.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police identified 889 EWAs on the basis of strong indications that violence may erupt in these areas in connection with the mid-term elections.

The senator pointed out that this is the least the Comelec can do to compensate the extraordinary bravery and dedication of teachers who would not shirk their duty when call to perform a task for national interest even in the face of danger.

He noted cases of unselfish heroism of several teachers in the past elections who were killed or injured while protecting the sanctity of the ballots.

"Iyung mga teacher wala namang reklamo maski ipadala mo sa mga delikadong lugar 'pag eleksyon. Tutal hindi sila umaatras kahit malagay pa sa panganib ang buhay nila eh bigyan naman natin sila ng kaukulang hazard pay," Marcos stressed.

Earlier, Marcos called on the Comelec to give in advance the full election duty pay of teachers who had asked for an increase of honorarium from P4,000 to P6,000.

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