By JEN BAYLON
Preparations are now finalized to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.
Donato Sermeno III, Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) regional director, said the coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Negros Occidental Provincial Joint Security Control Center has been completed to facilitate the safe transport of IDPs back to their respective barangays on election day.
This arrangement specifically covers displaced families from Bago City’s Barangay Ilijan, La Carlota City’s Barangays Ara-al and Yubo, and La Castellana’s Barangays Biak na Bato, Cabagnaan, Mansalanao, Masulog, and Sag-ang.
Based on Comelec records provided by OCD-NIR, 2,102 IDPs from Bago, 718 from La Carlota, and 2,116 from La Castellana will be brought home by their respective local government units, which will provide transport vehicles for this purpose.
However, for Barangay Cabagnaan, since their usual polling center is within Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone, Comelec has established a makeshift polling precinct in the town proper.
“In La Carlota, some IDPs will be transported back to their barangays because their polling centers are not within Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone,” Sermeno said.
These efforts are part of a broader government response to the eruption, which displaced more than 8,600 families — or about 28,272 people — from 34 barangays in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental following Kanlaon’s explosive eruption last month.
The OCD-NIR and local authorities are working to ensure that all eligible voters, including those still in evacuation centers, are able to participate in the democratic process despite ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
Earlier, the Comelec assured displaced voters that they would still be able to cast their votes in the May 12 midterm elections.
Local government units remain on alert and are prepared to support the safe and orderly return of IDPs to their communities for election day.
Official ballots
The official ballots to be used in the May 12 midterm elections are scheduled to be delivered to their respective cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental today.
The ballots, which arrived in Bacolod City via cargo vessel on Sunday, May 4, were immediately transferred to the logistics hub in Barangay Alijis for safekeeping and segregation.
Local election personnel began loading the ballots onto trucks for distribution to city and municipal treasurer’s offices throughout the province, with deliveries expected to be completed within the day.
Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria assured that the ballots are complete based on the initial count, but emphasized that local election officers will conduct further verification upon receipt at their respective offices.
Political parties and accredited poll watchers have been notified and invited to witness the inspection of official ballots and election paraphernalia to ensure transparency in the process.
Meanwhile, 2,484 automated counting machines designated for Negros Occidental have been delivered and will undergo final testing and sealing on Wednesday, May 7, to ensure their accuracy and readiness for election day.
Ananoria clarified that official ballots will be distributed to clustered precincts on election day itself, except in remote areas where early release may be authorized on May 11 to account for logistical challenges.
Security measures have been put in place to safeguard the delivery and storage of election materials.
Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, has over two million registered voters and is among the largest voting populations in the country./JB, WDJ