Manila vice mayoral candidate and outgoing Councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia Wednesday urged the Commission on Elections to ensure that the 300,000 teachers who will be performing election duties on May 10 would get their allowance with no delay.

Isip-Garcia said that teachers who served as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in the past endured waiting for their measly allowance for several months after the conduct of elections Isip-Garcia also called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to make sure that the teachers will receive allowances at least two weeks or a week before the May 10 polls.

“In the past, many of our teachers went to voting precincts without having breakfast. Some of them had to borrow money for their fare and food. Since our teachers will make a great sacrifice this election, the Department of Budget and Management must make sure to release the funds immediately,” she told the Manila Bulletin.

“DBM and DepEd must do something to avoid any delay in the release of teachers' stipend and that they won't be paid in installment,” Isip-Garcia added.

The vice-mayoral candidate, who will be the running mate of former environment secretary Lito Atienza, also asked authorities to ensure the safety of every teacher who will be serving as BEI.

Citing the recent clash between supporters of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Atienza as well as the recent announcement of the National Capital Region Police Office that Manila is one of the cities in Metro Manila tagged as one of the election hotspots, Isip-Garcia said that there is a necessity to protect the teachers from danger.

“The government should match the dedication and hard work that teachers put into their job by keeping them safe, especially in areas tagged as election hot spots,” she stressed.