With just weeks to go before the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared Western Visayas 100 percent prepared, citing the completion of training, security planning, and logistical coordination across the region.

Comelec Regional Election Director Dennis Ausan, who also chairs the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC), confirmed in a press briefing yesterday that preparations are on track and progressing according to schedule.

“We are, in fact, done with the last training of our poll workers, and that includes not only the teachers manning all electoral boards in polling places come election day, but we have also trained support staff,” he said.

Security measures are also in place, with the RJSCC finalizing its deployment plan during yesterday’s meeting.

Ausan noted that security assessments are ongoing and would be adjusted based on prevailing conditions.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas), said they have more than enough personnel to be deployed during the elections.

“For now, we have a considerable number of personnel. I think that would be enough for deployment for Region 6. We don’t need to import from Negros Occidental. We have new graduates that we will be utilizing this election,” Wanky said.

The military, on the other hand, said it does not see its ongoing operations against the communist group affecting the conduct of the midterm polls.

“We continue to pursue remaining CTG [communist terrorist group] elements, but we will ensure that any engagements will not interfere with the conduct of the polls,” Major General Michael Samson of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army said.

Logistics coordination was also discussed, with election equipment providers presenting deployment plans for machines, transmission devices, and other election supplies.

The execution of these plans is set to begin after Holy Week, cascading down to provincial, city and municipal levels. (PNA)