Bacolod City: Department of Science and Technology (DOST) personnel from the Negros Island Region (NIR) will train public school teachers who will be deployed during the May 12 midterm elections on the use of automated counting machines (ACMs). NIR Regional Election Director Lionel Marco Castillano emphasized the necessity for teachers to be “certified by the DOST as having undergone training on the operations of the ACMs” before they can serve in the board of election inspectors. He stated that the law mandates teachers to pass the DOST exams on ACM use.

According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 25 DOST personnel from the NIR provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor participated in a one-day training session organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bacolod City. Castillano announced that the training for teachers is set to commence in March.

Additionally, election officers from across the region will begin their training starting Tuesday. These officers will subsequently be responsible for training the electoral board members, ensuring that all personnel involved in the election process are well-prepared and certified for their roles.