The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region is preparing a contingency plan for the May 2025 midterm elections due to the possible eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, an official said Wednesday.
Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano said he recently led inspections in Canlaon City and nearby areas in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental to assess the schools designated as voting centers for the upcoming polls in 2025.
Local government units within Mt. Kanlaon’s four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, including Canlaon City, La Carlota, La Castellana, and San Carlos City, face heightened risk due to the volcano’s increased activity.
In recent weeks, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology has reported steam and ash emissions from Mt. Kanlaon, while the National Disaster Risk-Reduction & Management Council has issued daily ash fall warnings to residents in affected areas.
Lawyer Castillano said election officers in each municipality have been tasked with drafting contingency plans, including identifying alternative voting centers in case of an eruption.
“We need to prepare this early as we do not want a postponement of elections in these areas,” he said, explaining that delays would incur additional costs, pose challenges for teachers serving as election officials, and could impact national election results.
He also noted that many schools used as voting centers are designated evacuation sites during natural disasters, which could further complicate election preparations.
The exact number of schools that may be impacted by volcanic activity will be determined following Comelec-NIR’s site inspections. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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Photo Caption: The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology continues to keep watch over Kanlaon Volcano which keeps on releasing thick clouds of ash for the past week, in addition to causing volcanic quakes that have been felt in the surrounding towns and cities. (Photo by Phivolcs)
