Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that a series of trainings for its personnel, in preparation for the upcoming national and local elections (NLE), is set to begin early next week. These trainings are crucial to ensure the smooth execution of the electoral process scheduled for May 12.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia confirmed on Wednesday that the NLE trainings will commence this month and continue until days before the elections. “On Monday next week (Jan. 27) is the start of our NLE trainings. It will last until May,” Garcia stated in a Viber message.

The initial phase of the training, known as the Training of Trainers Phase I, will take place at the Diamond Hotel. It will witness the arrival of field officials next week and the following week. Garcia emphasized the importance of these sessions, noting that they are “jam-packed because this is the last time we will brief them face to face.”

The training agenda includes comprehensive instructions on the Automated Counting Machines and/or Consolidated Canvassing System (ACM/CCS). Additionally, there will be a focus on deployment, finance, contingency plans, materials/peripherals, the National Technical Support Center, and the roles of the Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO), among other topics.

Garcia also mentioned plans to train Department of Science and Technology (DOST) certifiers next week. The detailed schedule for the training sessions is as follows:

January:

– Training of Trainers PHASE 1

– DOST certifiers

February:

– Training of Trainers PHASE 2

– DOST certifiers

– DESO Technical Support

March:

– Electoral Boards and Certification

– Vulnerable Sectors: Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), Indigenous Peoples (IP), Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

– Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Electoral Board training

April:

– Boards of Canvassers

– DESO Supervisors

April-May (before elections):

– Refresher sessions for Electoral Boards and DESO Technical Support

The structured training program underscores Comelec’s commitment to a well-organized and efficient electoral process for the upcoming elections.