By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 660 support staff who served during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City are yet to receive compensation.

Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda said the city election officer sought his assistance in disbursing payments to the support staff hired for the local elections.

The required budget to compensate them is approximately P3.7 million.

“We are currently exploring a legal basis to ensure they receive their compensation,” Miranda said.

He also noted that the Commission on Elections acknowledged their own fault in the hiring process.

However, the city government faces budget constraints in addressing the issue.

Each support staff member is entitled to an honorarium of P5,500 for their services rendered.

Ian Lee Ananoria, provincial election supervisor, confirmed an ongoing investigation is being conducted into the disbursement of payments./DGB, WDJ