DAMAGED. A roofless classroom in Southern Leyte damaged by Typhoon Odette last year. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is building more makeshift precincts in Eastern Visayas, allowing typhoon victims and those from the vulnerable sector to cast their votes.(Photo courtesy of Comelec Region 8) TACLOBAN CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured the completion of all 118 makeshift precincts in Eastern Visayas before election day, allowing typhoon victims and those from the "vulnerable sector" to cast their votes. Comelec Eastern Visayas assistant regional director Felicisimo Embalsado said on Wednesday all temporary precincts are completed in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, and Leyte while those in Southern Leyte are still ongoing. "There was a delay for areas affected by Typhoon Odette in Southern Leyte due to limited supply of construction materials, but we are sure that it will be completed before May 7," Embalsado told reporters. Complet
POLL DUTY. Some of the uniformed personnel deployed for election duties in Eastern Visayas during the send-off ceremony in Palo, Leyte on Wednesday (May 4, 2022). They are tasked to secure the May 9 national and local elections in six provinces and seven cities.(PNA Photo by Sarwell Meniano) PALO, Leyte - Security agencies sent off on Wednesday thousands of troops and personnel tasked to secure the May 9 national and local elections in six provinces and seven cities in Eastern Visayas. During a send-off ceremony at the police regional office headquarters here, key officials urged uniformed men and public-school teachers to ensure peaceful and orderly elections. "We are not just officially sending troops and resources to help the Commission on Elections (Comelec), we also recognize the dependable coordination and support shared by various agencies. We have come prepared, and we are now ready to answer the call of election duty," Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Bernard Bana
DEMONSTRATION. A vote-counting machine (VCM) roadshow in Tacloban City in this April 20, 2022 photo. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started the deployment of 6,271 VCMs and other election paraphernalia in Eastern Visayas as part of its preparation for the May 9 national and local elections.(Photo courtesy of Comelec Region 8) TACLOBAN CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started the deployment of 6,271 vote-counting machines (VCMs) and other election paraphernalia in Eastern Visayas as part of its preparation for the May 9 national and local elections. This week, the Comelec's election supplies forwarder F2 Logistics has been transporting the VCMs to the local hubs in this city and Ormoc City for temporary storage pending their distribution to local election offices and various polling centers. Of the 6,271 VCMs intended for the region, 2,539 are for Leyte province, 644 for Southern Leyte, 216 for Biliran, 1,268 for Samar, 746 for Eastern Samar, and 858 for N
DEVASTATED. The town center of San Ricardo, Southern Leyte in this Dec. 30, 2021 photo taken just two weeks after Typhoon Odette crossed some parts of Visayas and Mindanao. The Commission on Elections will build makeshift precincts for voters in typhoon-hit areas. (Photo courtesy of Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative) TACLOBAN CITY - At least 30 makeshift precincts will be constructed in Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces after recent typhoons damaged several classrooms, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office here said on Friday. Comelec Eastern Visayas assistant regional director Felicisimo Embalsado said they will start the construction of the makeshift structures on April 25 and will be completed days before the May 9 polls. "Through these makeshift centers, we are giving everyone the opportunity to cast their votes even if their classrooms are damaged by calamities. We have to find ways," Embalsado told reporters. The precincts will be made up of coconut l
AFTER THE STORM. Volunteers load family food packs from the national government for victims of Tropical Storm Agaton in Inopacan, Leyte in this April 19, 2022 photo. The Commission on Elections reminded candidates to seek an exemption if they want to distribute aid to victims of calamities.(Photo courtesy of DSWD Eastern Visayas) TACLOBAN CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday reminded candidates to seek an exemption if they want to distribute aid to victims of Tropical Depression Agaton in Eastern Visayas. While the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) are expected to lead the distribution of relief goods, reelectionist local officials can still give aid if they are permitted by the poll body. "We are not aware if any candidate from Eastern Visayas submitted a formal petition to distribute goods to 'Agaton' victims," Comelec assistant regional director Felicisimo Embalsado said in an interview. Under S