COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through its Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to ensure the protection of teachers who will serve in the 2022 elections.

Under the MOA, the MBHTE will submit to Comelec a certified list of public school teachers who are qualified, willing, and available to render election-related service, giving preference to those with permanent appointments and those who have served in previous automated elections pursuant to Section 5 of Comelec Resolution No. 10194.

“I want the best protection for the teachers who will serve as members of the electoral boards, MBHTE supervising officer and support staff. With this partnership, we will be capacitating them with the right knowledge in order to deter or counter abuses and any form of security threats that may occur before, during or after the 2022 National and Local Elections,” MBHTE minister Mohagher Iqbal said.

According to the MOA preference shall be given to those who are without comorbidities and are below 60 years old.

The MBHTE, the MOA stated, shall bear the cost of capacity training to be conducted by the Comelec such as sensitivity training, polling place management, and basic health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Iqbal signed the MOA with the virtual presence of Comelec commissioners Marlon Cascuejo, Antonio Kho, and Aimee Ferolino; Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr.; Comelec Director for Personnel Margaret Ching, Comelec-BARMM Director Monalisa Mamukid, and other MBHTE personnel during an online meeting. (With reports from MBHTE-BARMM).