6 EWAs, 4 concern areas bared

CEBU, Philippines — A total of six barangays in Tuburan town were placed under election watchlist areas by the Commission on Elections for the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. There were also three towns and one city identified as special concern areas because of the history of violence and intense political rivalry.

The announcement was made yesterday during the final joint security meeting between the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police. The Cebu Province Police Office identified the six barangays in Tuburan under EWAS as Putat, Carmelo, Montealegre, Mag-atubang, Sandayong, and Ga-ang.

The towns of Daanbantayan, Medellin, and Tabogon and the City of Bogo are considered special areas of concern. The CPPO explained that these areas were only considered special areas of concern and not EWAs due to lack of justification.

CPPO will be putting in place quick response teams (QRT) in the identified EWAs.

Senior Superintendent Julian Entoma of Police Regional Office (PRO-7) said that their office will also deploy 650 policemen to augment the provincial police force. He shared that CPPO initially requested for 550 men but the regional office added 150 more.

The Comelec has assured the public that everything is set for the elections on Monday.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said that their office is only waiting for three Election Officers (EO) to claim the election paraphernalia and for the arrival of cash cards on May 11. Everything else is set.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE-7) assured that power will not be a problem on election day. DOE Visayas Field Officer Engr. Saul Gonzales said that all preventive maintenance and testing operations of the power lines will be suspended one week before the elections.

He also shared that the Visayas Grid has a power supply of 2,420 megawatts. During the peak demand, the grid uses up to 2,000 megawatts. Gonzales said that this would mean that there is an “ample reserve” of at least 400 megawatts.

The Visayan Electric Company also urged the parents to remind their children not to fly kites near power lines. Once a kite is entangled with the wires, it may cause a short circuit especially when it rains.

“As you can see, the command conference now is different from before,” said Castillano.

He emphasized the value of partnerships and the need for multiple agencies, both government and private, to work together for a smooth election. (FREEMAN)