• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The continuing restiveness of the Kanlaon Volcano will not deter the Commission on Elections from holding polls as scheduled on May 12, in communities affected by its eruption.
“There is no reason to postpone the elections on May 12,” said Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia, who inspected evacuation centers in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.
Alternative polling precincts have already been identified by the Comelec, where the affected registered voters will cast their votes, whether Kanlaon Volcano is under Alert Level 3 or 4.
In Negros Occidental, a total of 6,871 registered voters in Murcia, 4,279 in La Carlota City, 2,349 in La Castellana, 2,102 in Bago City, and 1,390 in Pontevedra, will be affected under a Alert Level 3 status. In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, 7,371 will be affected.
Under the Alert Level 4 status, the affected registered voters in La Castellana will increase to 31,723, Murcia – 15,686, La Carlota City – 14,098, Bago City – 11,127, 3,137 in Pontevedra, in Negros Occidental, and 14,506 will be affected in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
If polls are postponed, Garcia said it should not be more than 30 days after the occurrence of the calamity, based on Section 6 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Should Kanlaon volcano have a major eruption, the permanent danger zone will be expanded from 6 kilometers to 10 kilometers, according to the Office of the Civil Defense.
Since June last year, Kanlaon Volcano has already erupted thrice, with the latest minor explosion occurring on April 9 this year. However, the alert level for the volcano remains at 3, indicating increased magmatic unrest.*
