• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of Civil Defense has ruled out the return of residents affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption to their respective areas of residence to cast their votes during the May 12 national and local elections.
This was confirmed by Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria April 21.
During the recent Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC) meeting, Ananoria said it was discussed that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) will have to cast their votes either in the evacuation centers, nearest polling centers, or makeshift polling precincts.
Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mt. Kanlaon, with the permanent danger zone extended to six kilometers.
Ananoria said that voters in three to four barangays of La Castellana and La Carlota, and one to two barangays of Bago City will cast their votes in the evacuation centers or the nearest polling precincts.
Meanwhile, the 31 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, including the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, have remained under the green category, or areas without election-related security concerns, Ananoria said.
Only Candoni town remains under orange category, or an area with serious armed threats, he added.
As the election nears, Ananoria said the intensified campaign of candidates and heating up of political rivalries are expected.
The security contingency plans of the PJSCC are now in place, including full security coverage of the delivered automated counting machines and soon to arrive ballots. | GB
