• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will push through with the midterm elections on May 12 in areas affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.
There is no need to postpone the elections, Comelec Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Monday (Jan. 6).
If that happens, it will affect the proclamation of winning senatorial and partylist candidates by the National Board of Canvassers, he added.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Mt. Kanlaon, signifying the onset of a magmatic eruption that could escalate into further explosive activity.
Castillano, who met with Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Monday, said they are eyeing to establish voting centers in evacuation sites, where the affected voters are staying.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that 4,128 families, composed of 13,454 persons, are sheltered in 34 evacuation centers, while an additional 2,351 families, comprising 7,458 persons, have sought refuge in other areas.
Castillano said the idea to transfer voting centers in the evacuation sites has been approved by Garcia.
The respective Provincial Joint Security Control Centers of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have been tasked to prepare the contingency plan, in coordination with the local disaster councils of the affected local government units.
The election period for the May 12 elections will start on Jan. 12.
Castillano said that he will convene the NIR Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) on Jan. 11 although the Philippine National Police has yet to appoint a police regional director.
The RJSCC is composed of the representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard, with the Comelec regional director as the chairperson.
Castillano said the Area Police Command has designated its executive officer, PBrig. Rogelio Simon, to represent the PNP in the RJSCC.
The Comelec and the RJSCC are focusing on the preparations, in case Mt. Kanlaon will erupt again, Castillano said. | GB
