The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has decided to push through with the 2025 elections as scheduled in Negros Island Region (NIR), despite Mount Kanlaon’s ongoing activity.
Regional Election Director Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said on Monday, January 6, that holding the elections on time prevents delays in proclaiming winning candidates and party-lists, avoiding potential disputes over the results.
He emphasized that avoiding these delays is critical to preserving the integrity of the electoral process.
COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia has instructed the commission to create a contingency plan for responding to Mount Kanlaon’s varying alert levels. Castillano confirmed that this plan will ensure the agency is prepared to handle any challenges posed by the volcano.
Officials will discuss the plan further during the Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting on January 11.
Representatives from the Office of Civil Defense, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, affected local government units, and General Rogelio Simon, who is temporarily representing the Philippine National Police (PNP), will attend the meeting.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.