Manila: Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to remove the expiration period for service credits earned by public school teachers from election-related duties.

According to Philippines News Agency, under Comelec Resolution No. 11212-A, teachers may now claim and utilize their earned service credits at any time following their poll duties, repealing the previous rule that required credits to be availed of within three months. Angara commended the poll body for responding swiftly to the concerns of educators nationwide regarding the need for flexible leave entitlements.

"Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga guro. Hindi biro ang magsilbi sa halalan-dinaranas nila ang matinding puyat, pagod, at minsan pa'y panganib, para lang maprotektahan ang boto ng bawat Pilipino (This brings great relief to our teachers. Serving during elections is no small sacrifice - they endure extreme sleep deprivation, exhaustion and at times even danger, all to protect the vote of every Filipino)," Angara said in a news release.

'Kaya naman nararapat lamang na hindi natin ipagkait o limitahan ng strict deadlines ang kanilang karapat-dapat na pahinga at benepisyo. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Comelec sa mabilis na pagdinig sa ating pakiusap at sa pagkilala sa sakripisyo ng ating mga guro (Therefore, it is only right that we do not deny them - or restrict with strict deadlines - the rest and benefits they deserve. We thank the Comelec for promptly hearing our appeal and for recognizing the sacrifices made by our teachers),' he added.

Around 600,000 public school teachers serve as electoral board members and support personnel in every election, serving as the frontliners of the country's democratic process. The new guidelines cover services rendered in National and Local Elections, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, as well as special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda and recall elections.

DepEd reiterated its commitment to working alongside Comelec and other government bodies to safeguard the welfare, allowances and rights of public school teachers during national and local electoral exercises.