The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of PHP758.459 million to provide an additional PHP1,000 honorarium to each poll worker—including thousands of teachers—who served during the May 12 midterm elections.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced the move on Monday, noting that this amount is on top of the previously approved PHP2,000 increase under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
The increase was made in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to recognize and reward the crucial role of poll workers and educators in ensuring a clean and orderly electoral process.
“Muli po natin nakita ang dedikasyon ng ating mga guro at poll workers sa pagbabantay ng ating mga boto ngayong eleksyon. Kaya naman, sa utos po ng ating mahal na Pangulo, inaprubahan po natin ang additional na pondo para mabigyan sila ng karagdagang honoraria,” Pangandaman said.
“That’s the least we can do to honor their invaluable service. ‘Yan po ay isang paraan ng ating pasasalamat sa kanila,” she added.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), a total of 758,549 poll workers served in the recent national and local elections. The DBM emphasized that their compensation, including the additional honoraria, should be released within 10 days following election day.