The Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured the public that preparations for the upcoming May 12 elections in Sorsogon have not been disrupted so far following a phreatic or steam-driven eruption of Bulusan Volcano early Monday morning, April 28.

According to Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, the election operations in municipalities surrounding the foot of Mt. Bulusan — Irosin, Juban, and Bulusan — remain unaffected. Local election officers (EOs) in these areas have reported no forced evacuations or the use of any voting centers as evacuation sites.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert status of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon from Alert Level 0 (normal) to Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest

Garcia emphasized that the EOs in the affected areas have been instructed to coordinate closely with the Department of Education (DepEd), local government units (LGUs), and PHIVOLCS to formulate a contingency plan in case of further escalation in Mt. Bulusan’s activity.

"Para din pong yung gagawin natin sa Mt. Kanlaon, na kung talagang mayroon po tayong mga kababayan na madidisplace sa kanilang tirahan, na kung saan magkakaroon ng tinatawag na satellite voting centers o yung off site voting centers, gagawin din natin yan kung talagang kailanganin dito sa Bulusan (It’s similar to what we will do in Mt. Kanlaon, where if our fellow countrymen are displaced from their homes, we will set up what we call satellite voting centers or off-site voting centers. We will also do this if it’s really needed here in Bulusan)," Garcia told reporters in an interview.

On April 8, Phivolcs reported that an “explosive” eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano, indicating increased volcanic unrest and an increased likelihood of hazardous eruptions.

Garcia said that Comelec officials would visit Mt. Kanlaon this Thursday to assess the situation of displaced residents and explore ways to facilitate voting for those staying in evacuation centers. This includes setting up off-site voting arrangements to ensure everyone can participate in the election.

In line with these efforts, Garcia said that the poll body is set to formalize an agreement with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to enhance the coordination and assistance in affected areas.

"Masasaksihan din po ng lahat yung pakikipagkasunduan ng Comelec sa Office of Civil Defense sapagkat gusto namin makapag-enter sa agreement sa Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Office of Civil Defense. Ganong isa sila ay isa sa isang ahensya sa may pinakamalawak na presence sa atin pong bansa (Everyone will also witness the collaboration between Comelec and the Office of Civil Defense, as we aim to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with them. They are one of the agencies with the widest presence across our country)," he said.

As of now, Garcia said that the Comelec has not identified any circumstances that would warrant the postponement of elections. Garcia assured voters that May 12 remains the scheduled date for all elections, unless a serious event such as violence, terrorism, force majeure, or fraud occurs.

While a volcanic eruption constitutes a force majeure, Garcia said that they still won't postpone the elections in the affected areas since they have found means for residents there to cast their votes.

"Sa kasalukuyan di natin pwede ipostpone sapagkat may paraan naman kami kung paano makakaboto yung mga kababayan natin. Ibig sabihin pwede naman naming dalhin yung mismong pagboto nila, yung polling place o presinto sa mismong lugar kung nasaan ang evacuation sites ng ating mga kababayan (At present, we cannot postpone the elections because we have a way for our fellow countrymen to vote. This means we can bring the voting itself, the polling place or precinct, to the very location where our voters' evacuation sites are)," he explained.

He clarified that while the Comelec could postpone elections under these conditions, the postponement would be limited to a 30-day period.

Meanwhile, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said that the eruption serves as a reminder to all Sorsogans, especially those living near the volcano, to remain vigilant and follow any directives from the local government.

The Bicolano lawmaker said that together with the Provincial Government of Sorsogon, they are in communication with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the OCD under the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure the safety of everyone and to provide the necessary assistance to affected families.

"We assure our fellow citizens that the evacuation centers are ready, as well as our disaster relief personnel who are prepared to assist with any needs in case the volcanic activity continues," Escudero said.

"We continue to pray for the cessation of the eruption of Mt. Bulusan to avoid any further disaster," he added.