Capiz to elect 473 sets of barangay, SK officials
by A. Lumaque
Roxas City (17 October) -- The province will elect new sets of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials for its 473 barangays in view of the upcoming October 29 elections.
The preparations are also being finalized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Provincial Office to complete the necessary requirements for the election.
"The Office is almost ready for the election," said COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor and lawyer Wil Arceņo in an interview over a local radio station.
The government has also reviewed various security measures for the duration of the election period to help efforts for honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections.
The election period started last September 29 and will end on November 13, exactly 15 days after election.
Newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Avelino I. Razon, Jr. presented several police and security measures at the meeting held at the in Malacaņang in preparation for the upcoming polls.
Gen. Razon formulated the Letter of Instruction (LOI) to effectively and efficiently carry out the COMELEC instructions and directives.
The PNP, in coordination with the COMELEC, shall implement activities according to phases: Pre-Election (Sept. 29 - Oct. 27, 2007), Election Proper (Oct. 28-29, 2007) and Post Election (Oct. 30-Nov. 13, 2007). Volume and tempo of the activities shall be strengthened during the election proper phase.
A provisional national task force was also created by the PNP chief to lead and monitor the overall conduct of police operations during the election period. It will be headed by Police Deputy Director General Reynaldo P. Varilla as Task Force Commander.
A total of 4,511 out of 41,994 barangays all over the country are listed in the Election Watchlist of Areas or EWAs. Only 167 or 4 percent are considered as Election Areas of Concern (EAC) while 4,344 or 96 percent are considered Election Areas of Immediate Concern (EAIC).
As of Oct. 7, 2007, five election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) were recorded in Regions IV-A, 9, 13, Cordilleras and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that resulted in the death of three persons and wounding of one.
Gen. Razon recounted that in the last barangay election in 2002, there were 159 cases of ERVIs. Of this total, 98 or 62 percent occurred during the pre-election period, 48 or 30 percent during the election day proper and 13 others after the May polls. These incidents resulted in the death of 75 persons and caused injuries to 69 others. A total of 30 candidates for various barangay positions were killed. (PIA) [top]
