The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday assured the public that Sorsogon remains prepared to conduct the upcoming midterm polls despite the eruption of Mt. Bulusan.

The volcano erupted at 4:36 a.m. on Monday, a week after it showed increased seismic activity. Ashfall was reported in several villages, including Cogon and Bolos in Irosin; and Puting Sapa, Guruyan, Buraburan and Tulatula Sur in Juban.

In an ambush interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the readiness of Sorsogon for the 12 May elections “has not been disrupted so far by the recent activity of Mt. Bulusan.”

Garcia said election officers in Irosin, Juban and Bulusan — towns surrounding the volcano — reported no forced evacuations or use of voting centers as evacuation sites.

“However, the election officers concerned have been instructed to coordinate closely with the Department of Education, local government units, and Phivolcs to formulate contingency plans should Mt. Bulusan’s activity escalate,” Garcia added.

Following the phreatic explosion, authorities raised Bulusan’s alert status from Alert Level 0 to Alert Level 1.