COTABATO CITY—To protect the rights of BARMM teachers and other personnel who shall serve in the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE), the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) virtually inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Monday, November 8.
Under the agreement, MBHTE shall submit a Certified List of Public-School Teachers who are qualified, willing, and available to render election-related service, giving preference to those with permanent appointments and those who have served in previous automated elections pursuant to Section 5 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10194.
The MOA will also give preference to those without co-morbidities and below sixty (60) years of age.
Moreover, the MBHTE shall bear the cost of capacity training to be conducted by the COMELEC such as Sensitivity Training, Polling Place Management, and Basic Health and Safety (COVID-19) Protocols.
Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal was thankful for the opportunity to be in partnership with COMELEC and said: “Truly, when two organizations unite together and support each other, better results can be achieved for the betterment of the public”.
“I want the best protection for the teachers who will serve as members of the electoral boards, MBHTE supervising officer, and support staff. With this partnership, we will be capacitating them with the right knowledge in order to deter or counter abuses and any form of security threats that may occur before, during, or after the 2022 National and Local Elections,” Iqbal said.
He also emphasized that BARMM Government will ensure that its resources will not be used for purposes of the election, and MBHTE teachers and non-teaching personnel will remain non-partisan.
Iqbal further stressed that “as a government who postulates Moral Governance in the running of our day-to-day affair, we envisioned a fair, orderly, and honest election.”
On the other hand, the COMELEC will cover the honoraria and allowances of every serving personnel as well as additional benefits and Legal Indemnification Package.
The online signing of MOA was witnessed by COMELEC Commissioners Marlon Cascuejo, Antonio Kho, and Aimee Ferolino, Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz, Jr., Director Margaret Ching, Regional Election Director Atty. Monalisa Mamukid, and other MBHTE personnel. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
