MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Highlighting their presence from the preparation until the election proper, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Education (DepEd) commended the effort of teachers and their crucial role as they wholeheartedly participate and take part in the Electoral Boards (EBs) during the national and local elections (NLE) this year.

Accordingly, the involved teachers all from public schools underwent various training and a refresher course to be ready for their duties this coming May 9.

City Election Officer Lawyer Norfaisa Paglala-Manduyog earlier conveyed her appreciation to them as their paths crossed during the final testing and sealing of Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) Thursday, May 5. 

City Schools Division of Marawi Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto further magnified the teachers as the ones at the forefront firstly safeguarding the orderliness of the elections.

“I would like to thank especially our teachers because these are our teachers talaga who are frontliners. Sila talaga ang nagkandadahirap para matupad ang maayos na eleksyon [They are ones really working hard to implement an orderly election],” she said.

Recalling the process the teachers had to take to serve on the election day, Alonto assured the public that the EBs were all trained, equipped and capable of letting honest, peaceful and orderly elections prevail.

Notwithstanding the recognition extended, the COMELEC and DepEd reminded once again teachers in service of their important mandate to bear.

Manduyog especially underscored the neutrality of the EBs which they must maintain.

“I would like to remind our teachers to remain non-partisan. Hindi tayo pwedeng may kinikilingan o kinakampihan anyone sa ating mga kandidato dahil iyon ay bawal. Hindi natin iyon pwedeng gawin [We cannot lean or side anyone in the candidates because that is prohibited. We cannot do that],” she said. 

Alonto also called for unity as she looked forward to a secured and successful election.

“Sana magtulungan tayo ngayong May 9. Itaguyod natin ang isang peaceful election at sana matapos [ang eleksyon] na walang masamang mangyari sa ating lahat [I hope we work together this May 9. Let us push for a peaceful election and I hope this will end wherein no untoward incident will happen]… On behalf of the entirety of the Schools Division of Marawi, we are so ready for the coming national and local elections this coming May 9,” she said. 

A total of 450 teachers from the Marawi schools division are already prepared to serve in the NLE. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)