BFP, Comelec ready for May 12 elections

CEBU, Philippines — As election day approaches, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Mandaue City has conducted fire safety inspections at polling precincts in preparation for the 2025 National and Local Elections on May 12.

Fire Superintendent Arnel Abella, city fire marshal of BFP-Mandaue City, told reporters that they have already coordinated with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Mandaue City in conducting the inspection.

Abella said it is important to conduct fire and safety inspections at polling precincts to ensure a safe and well-prepared election day for both the ballots and the voters.

The inspection included checking the electrical wiring in schools that will be used as polling precincts and ensuring that the power connections are safe and in good condition.

“Naa baya ang mga ballots,” said Abella, emphasizing the importance of the steps they are taking for the upcoming midterm polls.

Abella said that the inspection of the schools is part of the preparations for election day, especially in case any incidents occur.

Abella also said that the BFP has strategically outlined fire exits in case of emergencies and organized the entrances in every precinct.

“Para kung naay mahitabo nga incident, makagawas ra dayon ang mga tao,” Abella said.

Aside from the inspection, the fire officer also assured that BFP-Mandaue City will deploy fire responders, fire trucks, and ambulances to the 271 polling precincts in the city.

Comelec-Mandaue Election Assistant Jaqueline Reuyan, in a separate interview, confirmed that since early March this year, the BFP-Mandaue City has been conducting inspections.

Reuyan said that BFP-Mandaue City has already sent a report to their office, which she mentioned that there have been no problems on their end, so far.

Additionally, Reuyan confirmed that teachers who will serve on election day have been advised to bring flashlights in case of power interruptions.

However, the Comelec officer said that it has nothing to do with the Automated Counting Machine (ACM), as it has its own battery that will last for 72 hours in case of a power outage.

In terms of overall preparation, Comelec Mandaue said that the city is ready, as they have already inspected the schools that will be used as polling precincts in the May elections to ensure that all venues are in proper condition.

The teachers who will serve in the polls have also been identified, which will undergo a refresher course on April 12 for instructions regarding the upcoming elections.

A total of 271 precincts are set to be established across the city, which has approximately 236,000 registered voters. — (FREEMAN)