In preparation for the upcoming midterm elections on May 12, personnel from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) are set to train public school teachers on the operation of automated counting machines (ACMs). This initiative was highlighted during a training session held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on February 10, 2025.
Lionel Marco Castillano, the Regional Election Director for NIR, emphasized the necessity for teachers to be certified by DOST in the use of ACMs. He stated that certification is a legal requirement for teachers to serve on the board of election inspectors. Castillano also mentioned that the training for teachers is scheduled to begin in March.
The training session in Dumaguete was attended by 25 DOST personnel from the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor. This session was organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure that the DOST staff are well-prepared to train the teachers.
Additionally, election officers from the region will start their own training on the following day, and they will subsequently train members of the electoral boards. This comprehensive training program underscores the commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient electoral process.