The Department of Education in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) said Tuesday all teachers assigned for poll duty on May 12 are ready and willing to undertake the task, with not one intending to back out.

“As of now, lahat ng teachers natin confirmed na magse-serve during the election. Walang nagpaparating na magba-back-out sila (As of now, all teachers have confirmed to serve during the election. Nobody has intimated that they would back out),” Dr. Estela Cariño, regional director of the DepEd-CAR, said during a press conference at Camp Bado Dangwa.

Cariño said a total of 11,367 DepEd-CAR personnel will render election duty on May 12 –7,897 of whom are teachers while the rest are non-teaching staff.

It can be recalled that in the last Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), there were DepEd personnel who backed out in the last minute due to fear for their lives over allegations that they were biased to a specific candidate.

“I think they are confident because of the assurance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that they will ensure their safety aside from the benefits, and the DepEd also giving the assurance that it will take care of them,” she said.

Cariño added those who will serve during the election will receive an incentive for their service record.

Brig. Gen. David Peredo, regional director of the Police Regional Office-CAR, said 170 certified police personnel were trained to become special electoral board members, replacing any teacher who might back out.

Peredo said, “we have sufficient number of police personnel who are ready to take over in case someone backs out.” (PNA)