Comelec sees no reason to postpone May 12 polls despite Mt. Bulusan eruption

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees no reason to postpone the May 12 elections in areas near Mt. Bulusan despite the volcano's eruption.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia assured that Sorsogon is ready for the upcoming midterm polls, stating that readiness has not been disrupted by Mt. Bulusan's activity.

He noted that election officers in Irosin, Juban, and Bulusan reported no forced evacuations or use of voting centers as evacuation sites.

However, election officers are instructed to coordinate with the Department of Education, local government units, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for contingency plans if the volcano's activity escalates.

Ashfall incidents were reported in several villages in Irosin and Juban following the phreatic eruption.

Phivolcs has raised Mt. Bulusan's alert status from Level 0 (normal) to Level 1 (low-level unrest).