Workers from the previous midterm elections are set to receive a total allowance of ₱3,000, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
In an exclusive interview on Dos Por Dos, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced that, on top of the previously approved ₱2,000, an additional P1,000 will be granted following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"May good news po si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos para sa lahat ng poll workers, karamihan ay mga guro. Noong nakaraang linggo, in-announce natin na may additional na ₱2,000 across the board para sa mga poll workers," Pangandaman said.
"Ayon po sa direktiba ni PBBM, nagdagdag pa siya ng karagdagang ₱1,000."
Pangandaman acknowledged the dedication and risk faced by poll workers, especially amid tensions involving rival local politicians.
The ₱2,000 across-the-board allowance for 749,000 poll workers will be sourced from the General Appropriations Act. Meanwhile, the additional ₱1,000 amounting to ₱749 million will come from the contingent fund of the Office of the President.
"Mayroon pa po tayong natitirang continuing appropriation mula sa nakaraang taon mula sa contingent fund," Pangandaman explained.
Last week, the DBM also announced the approval of 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools — the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year.
