The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will go ahead with the May 2025 midterm elections despite an Alert Level 4 or 5 scenario of restive Mt. Kanlaon, an official said Monday.
Comelec-Negros Island Region (NIR) Assistant Election Director Dindo Maglasang said in an interview it was “the latest guidance” of Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia for Negros Island local government units (LGUs) threatened by a potential major eruption.
The election period starts Jan. 12, with the gun ban taking effect.
He explained that a postponement would affect the results of the May 12 polls, especially at the national level.
He added that elections could be conducted in evacuation centers already designated as voting sites, “similar to what we did during the Marawi siege” in 2017.
Mt. Kanlaon, currently under Alert Level 3 due to minor volcanic activity, threatens Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, and La Castellana, La Carlota City, and Bago City in Negros Occidental.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), LGUs and other agencies are already preparing for a possible escalation due to the volcano’s increased magmatic activities.
Meanwhile, Comelec will establish security checkpoints with the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines starting Jan. 12. (PNA)