The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the PHP2,000 across-the-board increase in the compensation of teachers and other poll workers serving in the May 12 midterm elections.

In a statement on Friday, the DBM announced the new and higher honoraria rates for those in the Electoral Board.

The DBM said the chairperson will receive PHP12,000 instead of PHP10,000, while poll clerk and the third member will get PHP11,000 instead of PHP9,000.

Around PHP8,000 will be given to the support staff, higher than the previous PHP6,000.

“This is a realization of the directive of President [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.], who is truly committed to ensuring we provide needed support for the welfare of our teachers,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

There are around 758,549 poll workers for the national and local elections, data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed.

Based on the Election Service Reform Act and Comelec Resolution 10194, persons rendering election service shall be entitled to honoraria, travel allowance, communication allowance, meal allowance, and service credit.

The DBM said the budgetary requirement for the poll workers’ compensation and as authorized under the 2025 General Appropriations Act is PHP7.480 billion.

Pangandaman called on concerned agencies to ensure the timely release of higher compensation for teachers and poll workers this coming elections.

“I urge Comelec to ensure that our teachers and poll workers will get their compensation as quickly as possible. Dapat timely ang release ng kanilang benepisyo (The release of their benefits should be timely). They deserve nothing less,” she said. (PNA)