OCD, Comelec vow disaster-resilient polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) have entered into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure the safety and continuity of the upcoming elections amid the hazards posed by the restive Kanlaon Volcano.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia and OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno led the signing of the MoA at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol on 1 May.

“The vote of every citizen is vital. Even during calamities, we cannot allow voting to be hindered. We must be prepared and ensure the integrity of the election process,” Nepomuceno said at the event.

“Currently, the Philippines ranks at the top of the World Risk Index. That is a warning that we must always be ready. Our government, along with 41 agencies in the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) under the strong leadership of Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., and local government units, are working tirelessly to keep our elections safe and meaningful,” he added.

Nepomuceno underscored the government’s proactive efforts.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed an executive order creating the National Task Force for Kanlaon. This order formalizes the entire effort to manage risks and respond effectively. We are grateful for this support as we prepare for the upcoming elections.”

He added, “We cannot neglect our disaster preparedness. How we respond and prepare is within our control. This partnership between OCD and Comelec is a vital step in safeguarding our democracy.”

For Comelec, Garcia said that in the event of a major disaster, the commission has the authority to postpone or reschedule elections, but only within the limits set by law, referring to Section 6 of the Omnibus Election Code, which allows for up to 30 days of postponement.

“We stand ready to make those decisions to safeguard voters and uphold the integrity of the process,” he said.

“We are committed to ensuring that, despite the hazards posed by Kanlaon’s activity, every Filipino’s voice will be heard,” he added. “We will persevere through natural threats — volcanoes, storms, earthquakes — to uphold our democracy. The upcoming elections are a testament to our resilience and resolve.”

The Comelec-OCD agreement lays out plans to map evacuation routes for polling precincts, establish Incident Command Posts during elections, and explore the deputization of OCD personnel to support election security efforts in high-risk areas. Both agencies will collaborate on data sharing and contingency planning to minimize disruptions and protect voters and election workers.

Nepomuceno assured: “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the upcoming elections will be peaceful, credible, and safe for all Filipinos. Our shared responsibility is to protect every voter’s right to participate in our democracy. We remain vigilant and committed to this mission.”