Comelec ensuring Negros elections amid Kanlaon threats

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered officials of provincial joint security coordinating centers in Negros provinces to ensure that the elections will push through in May despite threats posed by Kanlaon Volcano.

Lionel Marco Castillano, chief of the Comelec-Negros Island Region, said that security centers in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental were given one month to come up with contingency plans, subject to the approval of the NIR joint security coordinating center.

“Our plan is to conduct the elections where the evacuees are,” Castillano said, noting that the transfer of voting precincts will need a resolution of the Comelec.

As of Jan. 13, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said up to 3,621 families composed of 11,371 people have been staying in or outside evacuation centers since the volcano erupted on Dec. 9.

Castillano said the election contingency plan would include determination of the number of troops for deployment.

Public works ban

As this developed, the Department of Public Works and Highways reminded DPWH regional and district offices of the 45-day public works ban being imposed by the Comelec during campaign season.

Michael Villafranca, DPWH Assistant Secretary for support services, issued Memorandum Circular 2 on Jan. 8, informing all regional and district offices to comply with Comelec Resolution 11078.

The resolution prohibits the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds for the construction of public infrastructure including delivery of building materials.

The ban will run from March 28 to May 11, or a day before the elections.

5,528 seek medical help

Meanwhile, up to 5,528 people displaced by the Kanlaon eruption have sought medical assistance, mostly for acute respiratory illnesses and fever, according to the Department of Health.

The DOH-NIR reported that six doctors, 43 nurses, 14 technical staff and 77 health personnel were deployed to assist evacuees and residents affected by the volcanic eruption.

The same report said that up to 87,200 pieces of N95 face masks, 48,500 ordinary masks, 1,910 surgical gloves, 180 hygiene kits, 99 first aid kits and 349 nebulizers have been distributed to affected local government units.

“Distribution of these commodities will continue to increase as assistance from other regions have arrived,” the DOH-NIR said.

On Saturday, state seismologists warned of another eruption similar to what occurred in December after noting an increase in ground swelling in Kanlaon. — Rainier Allan Ronda, Rhodina Villanueva