MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 13, 2019 (Monday) a non-working holiday to allow Filipinos to vote in the national and local elections, Malacañang said.
This is "to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote," according to the President's Proclamation No. 719 as released on Wednesday, May 9.
Duterte signed the proclamation four days before the Philippines’ fourth nationwide automated elections.
Around 60 million Filipinos are registered to vote on May 13. Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said the commission is hoping the voter turnout to hit around 81 percent.
Government is ready for May 13 elections
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are ready to secure the 2019 elections.
AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo on Monday said the AFP will be deploying around 35,000 troops to support the PNP which is estimated to deploy around 143,000 police personnel tasked to secure the coming polls.
While the Department of Energy (DOE) assured sufficient supply of power in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao amid concerns of power interruptions or rotational brownouts, they are still proposing for the extension of election holiday until May 14 to ensure efficient tallying of votes.
READ: Not just May 13, DOE proposes May 14 holiday extension
Last month, the DOE raised the possibility of power interruptions after yellow and red alerts have been issued anew for the Luzon grid due to non-functioning units of several power plants.
The Department of Education (DepEd) informed the President that the teachers who will serve as precinct election inspectors on Election Day will receive honoraria and travel allowance, Panelo said.
READ: Teachers to receive election duty honorarium in cash, seeks removal of tax
— The Summit Express
This is "to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote," according to the President's Proclamation No. 719 as released on Wednesday, May 9.
Duterte signed the proclamation four days before the Philippines’ fourth nationwide automated elections.
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| Malacañang declares May 13 as special non-working holiday for Election 2019. |
Government is ready for May 13 elections
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are ready to secure the 2019 elections.
AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo on Monday said the AFP will be deploying around 35,000 troops to support the PNP which is estimated to deploy around 143,000 police personnel tasked to secure the coming polls.
While the Department of Energy (DOE) assured sufficient supply of power in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao amid concerns of power interruptions or rotational brownouts, they are still proposing for the extension of election holiday until May 14 to ensure efficient tallying of votes.
READ: Not just May 13, DOE proposes May 14 holiday extension
Last month, the DOE raised the possibility of power interruptions after yellow and red alerts have been issued anew for the Luzon grid due to non-functioning units of several power plants.
The Department of Education (DepEd) informed the President that the teachers who will serve as precinct election inspectors on Election Day will receive honoraria and travel allowance, Panelo said.
READ: Teachers to receive election duty honorarium in cash, seeks removal of tax
— The Summit Express
