Members of the Electoral Boards (EBs) who served during the May 12 midterm elections will receive an additional PHP1,000 honorarium, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Saturday.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said he formally requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to grant additional, tax-free compensation to poll workers in recognition of their dedicated service.

“We are appealing for an increase in the honoraria of our Election Day workers a modest PHP1,000 additional compensation, tax free or net of tax, for each of the 758,549 individuals, who selflessly serve our nation during every electoral exercise,” he said in his letter to the DBM.

“A thousand pesos may not seem much, but, for them, it is a tangible recognition of their unmatched dedication. It is a gesture of a grateful nation,” the poll body chief added.

The DBM endorsed the release of the total PHP758,459,000 for the additional compensation, which was promptly approved by the Office of the President.

Garcia thanked the DBM and the Office of the President for immediately acting on Comelec’s request.

Prior to Election Day, the honoraria for electoral board members were already raised.

The EB chairperson’s pay increased from PHP10,000 to PHP12,000, while poll clerks and third members of the board compensation went from PHP9,000 to PHP11,000. (PNA)