FOURTEEN barangays in Mandaue City were identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as “on priority” during the May 2019 midterm elections

More attention will be given to the 14 barangays due to their large number of voters and polling precincts, among others, said Senior Supt. Julian Entoma, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) director.

The 14 barangays are Paknaan, Labogon, Subangdaku, Canduman, Banilad, Umapad, Looc, Maguikay, Tipolo, Tabok, Pagsabungan, Cabancalan, Alang-Alang and Casuntingan.

The barangays were identified during a half-day workshop organized by Comelec and participated by the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Entoma said more personnel will be deployed in the 14 barangays because of the huge number of voters expected to vote in those areas on May 13.

Aside from the large voter population and high precinct count, some of the barangays were chosen due to the presence of polling centers with lots of entrances and exits, such as the Mandaue Central School in which voters from four barangays are expected to flock there.

The 14 priority barangays have 11 public schools serving as polling centers.

“Included in our security preparation is how do we manage supporters of candidates that are expected to be rowdy. We are also expected to increase our deployment in polling centers with high number of voters. For polling centers with more than 5,000 voters, two police officers are not enough,” Entoma told Superbalita Cebu.

Aside from the voters, Entoma said they are also addressing other election-related problems, such as handling the ballot boxes during and after the canvassing process and ensuring that security is tight during those times.

Quick Response Teams are also expected to be deployed in some areas during the elections, Entoma said.FROM FMD OF SUPERBALITA CEBU / JKV