40 more PCOS operators needed for Laoag

LAOAG CITY, Feb 13 – At least 40 more computer experts are being eyed to operate the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines that will be deployed to polling places in Laoag in May.

The city Commission on Elections started screening today more than 80 applicants who have taken the written examination and practical application test.

The written part tests their skills on basic computer manipulation while the practical examination measures their knowledge in hardware and software installations.

Lawyer John Paul Martin, City Comelec Supervisor, said nine PCOS operators coming from the Department of Education will beef up the 40 technicians who will be deployed to 49 polling areas around the city.

“This year, we expect to use 112 PCOS machines and more than five spare machines. I hope all these machines function well so that we won’t need the spare ones,” he said.

Martin said the elections in Laoag will be supervised by PCOS operators and at least nine members of the Board of Election Inspectors.

“I am confident that the workers we are going to hire are more than qualified for the job because our applicants are specialists on these matters. They are Information Technology graduates, professors in colleges and universities and some are computer engineers,” he said.

He expressed hope that this year’s elections will be as smooth as the election last year, noting that none of the 100 PCOS machines failed to function. (Cherry Joy S. Discaya)