CALAMBA CITY (PIA) – The Office of Civil Defense 4A is expected to visit major ports and terminals in the Calabarzon region to check whether disaster risk mechanisms are in place for the conduct of Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and the observance of Undas.

OCD4A Director Carlos Eduardo Alvarez, also Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairperson, stressed the need for effective communication and early preparations to ensure readiness noting that the BSKE and Undas both fall on a long weekend.

“Although it’s still two weeks away, let us keep communicating because it’s better that we are ready this early,” he added.

The RDRRM operations center has maintained a 'Blue' alert status for the BSKE and observance of Undas. This alert status was previously activated for Taal Volcano, which is currently at Alert Level 1 and displaying abnormal activity.

Under this status, intensive coordination among member agencies and local government units continues, while local DRRMOs remain on standby and actively monitor the situation to ensure prompt response in case of any unforeseen events.

“We [must] make sure that we have a very safe and peaceful Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections, All Souls and All Saints Day since (both will take place) on a very long weekend,” said Alvarez.

Meanwhile, lawyer Gretchen Dolatre of the Commission on Elections IV-A said Calabarzon comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon has 15,660,770 registered voters for the October 2023 polls, making it the most vote-rich region in the country. (MBL/PIA4A)