Comelec visits Kanlaon evacuees

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, 1 May, conducted voters' education and a demonstration on voting using automated counting machines among those affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in La Carlota, Negros Occidental.

In an ambush interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia assured that the poll body already has a contingency plan in case the situation in La Carlota worsens.

"Dadalhin natin ang botohan dito mismo sa evacuation center, hindi lamang dito sa La Carlota kundi sa La Castellana mismo kung nasaan ang evacuees natin (We will bring the voting here in the evacuation center, not just here in La Carlota but in La Castellana itself where our evacuees are)," Garcia said.

"At gusto lang natin patunayan sa lahat na ano man ang katayuan nila, ano man ang kalagayan nila ngayon, silang lahat ay makakaboto. Wala tayong iiwanan dito (And we just want to prove to everyone that no matter what their status is, no matter what their situation is right now, they can all vote. We won't leave anyone out)," he added.

Garcia also appealed to candidates in Negros Island Region to keep their region in green category and the campaign period in order.

The Kanlaon Volcano is still under Alert Level 3 after its explosive eruption on 9 December.

Last week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. established the National Task Force Kanlaon to address volcanic threats and protect communities in the Negros Island Region.

The task force, formed in light of the increasing volcanic activity of Kanlaon Volcano, is tasked to mitigate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of a potential eruption.