QUEZON CITY, April 23, 2018 – The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to re-establish its Election Task Force (ETF) and Monitoring Center for public school teachers with poll duties in the local elections from May 13 to 15 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office in Pasig City.
Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua made the announcement in a joint press conference with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections held on April 23 at the DILG-NAPOLCOM Center in Quezon City.
“The reactivation of the DepEd Election Task Force will ensure that public school teachers and other non-teaching personnel are provided with adequate information, and technical and legal assistance while fulfilling their duties during the May 14, 2018 elections,” Pascua explained.
The Undersecretary also stated that the ETF Center at the Central Office will be set up at 2 p.m. of May 13 and will be accessible until 12 noon of May 15. Likewise, he mentioned that the DepEd Regional and Division offices are encouraged to set up their own ETF centers.
He further ensured that the Department will work closely with the local government officials and law enforcement agencies such as the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure the safety of DepEd personnel who have election duties.
Webinar
The Department is also set to conduct an online seminar for all DepEd personnel who will serve as chair and members of the Electoral Board and Barangay Board of Canvassers (BBOCs).
A video-recorded orientation and training on ballot appreciation and general instructions will be uploaded on the DepEd official website. This effort is in support of the training and briefing to be conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to all concerned DepEd employees.
“Our teachers have always been the vanguard—dedicating their blood, sweat, and tears in order to have an honest, orderly, peaceful, and credible election. Their genuine service and impeccable integrity in performing election duties can never be questioned,” Pascua stated.
“Naniniwala kami sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon na ang ating magigiting na guro ay muling ipamamalas ang kanilang dedikasyon upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at dignidad ng ating darating na halalan,” he concluded.
