PASIG CITY, May 11, 2019 – On May 13, our teachers and personnel will once more volunteer their time and energy to ensure that the conduct of the 2019 national and local elections is credible and orderly. We, at the Department of Education (DepEd), thank them for continuing to be on the frontline of the foremost exercise of democracy in the country notwithstanding the demands and challenges that the season entails.

Our Department is mobilizing 531,307 officials, teachers, and personnel. A total of 36,830 of our schools will be used as poll centers. The current administration of DepEd has been relentless in working closely with the Commission on Elections and other agencies involved so that both our volunteers receive better incentives. Through DepEd’s Election Task Force, we also ensure that are properly oriented and trained to serve in the polls.

As we salute our teacher and personnel volunteers, we likewise reiterate that all officials and employees of the agency are prohibited from electioneering and engaging in any partisan political activity. DepEd officials are also barred from using their position of authority to influence teaching and/or non-teaching personnel under their supervision of jurisdiction to support any preferred candidate or political party.

DepEd stands one with the country in hoping and working for honest and peaceful elections. We call on all our officials and personnel to maintain neutrality, focus on non-partisan public service, and remain a beacon of integrity.

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