Bacolod City: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have forged a partnership to ensure the safe conduct of the May 12 national and local elections in local government units (LGUs) affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island. The collaboration was formalized in a memorandum of agreement signed between OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno and Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia in a ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall Thursday afternoon.
According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement emphasizes the commitment of both organizations to facilitate voting despite the challenges posed by the volcanic activity. OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno expressed the importance of voting, stating that even in the face of calamities, the electoral process must proceed as the vote of every citizen is crucial. Comelec Chairman Garcia highlighted the need to prioritize displaced registered voters, ensuring they can participate in the elections regardless of their situation.
Under the volcano’s current Alert Level 3, a significant number of registered voters are affected. In Negros Occidental, 16,991 voters will be unable to cast their votes in their original voting centers within the six-kilometer extended danger zone. In Negros Oriental, 7,371 voters are similarly affected, while up to 14,506 voters are within the 10-kilometer extended danger area. If Alert Level 4 is declared, the number of affected voters could rise to 75,771 in Negros Occidental and 37,690 in Negros Oriental.
The agreement outlines several key areas of cooperation, including planning and mapping emergency exits and routes for clustered precincts during elections. It also discusses the possibility of deputizing OCD to augment disaster response and security by involving the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure a safe election process, particularly in disaster or crisis situations.
Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for disaster officers and other key personnel to vote ahead of the election day, allowing them to fulfill their responsibilities during the election without compromising their disaster management roles. An incident command post will also be established during elections to address potential emergencies, promoting a safe and secure electoral process.
