The second round of testing and sealing of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines conducted in Makati City Thursday showed accurate results but teachers handling the machines need to undergo final training before Election Day.

During the resumption of PCOS testing in Makati City, Comelec National Capital Region (NCR) Director Michael Dioneda said the election results of the PCOS machines and manual count conducted by the Board of Election Inspectors tallied.

“With the re-configured compact flash cards, errors have been resolved. The results are accurate now,” said Dioneda, who witnessed the testing at the Makati High School, in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City.

During the testing, some teachers acting as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) got confused when one member labeled one ballot with two shaded presidents as “spoiled” and did not count other shaded candidates for other positions.

Juliet Villar, city election officer, immediately corrected the BEI member and gave specific instructions concerning the rules.

“It is not a machine but human error, the teachers were given proper protocol and general instructions since there will be no manual counting on the Election Day but this is just for the purpose of testing,” Villar stressed.

The concern prodded her to conduct a refresher or final training to thousands of BEI members who will take part on the Election Day.

“The BEI members will undergo final training on May 8 for them to have a final briefing on what to do,” said Villar.

Last Monday, PCOS machines in several schools failed to count votes accurately as only votes for mayoral candidates Erwin Genuino and Agapito Aquino were counted while those for Councilor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-jun” Binay Jr. and Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado not accounted for. When automated and manual counts were compared, the discrepancies were noted.

Like in Makati, the second PCOS tests conducted in Baclaran, Parañaque were reportedly successful.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno urged all local chief executives to refrain from charging “passing through'' fees on vehicles carrying election equipment in their respective turfs to avoid delays in the delivery of the PCOS machines and other similar election paraphernalia at the various polling places of the country.

He asked the local chief executives to observe the prohibition of charging illegal fees to vehicles as provided for in an earlier directive issued by the DILG.

The Comelec has contracted the services of Argo International Forwarders, Inc., Ace Logistics, Inc., and Germalin Enterprises, Inc. for the delivery of ballot boxes and other election materials to all consignees in the country.

Section 133 of the Local Government Code states that the exercise of taxing powers of provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays shall not extend to the levy of taxes, fees and charges, and other impositions upon goods, carried into or out of, or passing through, the territorial jurisdictions of local government units.

Puno said he expects local officials to ensure the timely and complete delivery of PCOS machines and other election equipment by way of “uninterrupted conveyance” to all consignees before the final testing and sealing of PCOs machines scheduled on or before May 7, 2010. (With a report from Chito A. Chavez)