DepEd to deploy 90% of poll workers for May 9 elections

A total of 756,083 poll workers will be deployed for the May 9, 2022 elections, with the Department of Education (DepEd) providing the vast majority of personnel.

DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua stated that approximately 90% of the poll workers, numbering 647,812, are from the DepEd.

These DepEd poll workers are categorized into various roles, including electoral boards, support staff, supervisor officials, and boards of canvassers, all deputized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Atty. Marcelo Bragado, representing Undersecretary Alain Pascua, formally handed over 37,219 public schools nationwide to be used as polling centers, with 106,439 classrooms designated as polling precincts.

To address concerns specific to teachers and schools during the elections, the DepEd has established its own Election Task Force, operating independently of the Comelec.

This DepEd Election Task Force will have five groups in each region and division and will be active from May 8 to May 10.

This will be the first time the Philippines will hold elections in the middle of a pandemic, with President Rodrigo Duterte declaring Monday as a special non-working holiday.

Grab Philippines has pledged to prioritize DepEd personnel working on election day.