SOME principals from different schools in Cebu City who will serve on Election Day, May 9, have expressed concern over water supply in polling centers, but assured that they are almost ready for the polls.
Below are how principals of at least five Cebu City schools see their preparations as of Thursday, May 5.
Lahug Elementary School -- Barangay Lahug
A total of 26,706 people are expected to cast their vote at the Lahug Elementary School in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, on May 9.
"Preparado gyud (Already prepared)," said Marilou Palag, school principal, when asked about their preparations.
But she said they are struggling with the water supply.
"Sa pagka-karon, ang amu gyud nga concern kana lang gyung tubig. Labi na El Niño ta karun (For now, our major concern is the water supply, especially that it's El Nino)," she said, stressing some people might use the restrooms during the polls.
But she added: "I'm using the word concern kay it's not really a problem because we have our utility workers to prepare for that."
She said two policemen were already deployed in the area two help guard the place and the vote counting machines (VCMs).
City Central School -- Barangay Ermita, Kalubihan, Kamputhaw, San Antonio, and Cogon Ramos
Expected to cater to at least five barangays, the City Central School also geared up for the upcoming polls.
Marco Baron Dinawanao, a faculty member of the school who will serve as member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI), said their preparations were fine.
He said they collaborated with the village captains to assist them in their preparation.
But he added that water supply is also a concern for most BEIs, who would stay and sleep at the school on the eve of May 9.
With the water shortage due to El Niño, Dinawanao said they feared that some of them would not be able to take a bath.
But to fix the problem, the school has tapped the help of the Bureau of Fire Protection, which will supply water.
Dinawanao said they also have two nurses coming from their own division office to assist them whenever a problem occurs. The police are also on standby.
Guadalupe Elementary School -- Barangay Guadalupe
With an estimated 39,313 registered voters in Barangay Guadalupe, Principal Nestor Arandia said they he made sure that all teachers were instructed to prepare for the polls.
"I have my meeting with the teachers this morning and I already informed them (on) what to do during the election. At least the precautionary measures, just in case," he told Sun.Star.
"We will prepare water for the voters to use. In case ganahan sila mu-inom because that is one of the recommendations given by the Comelec, for the school to provide water for the voters," Arandia added.
Two polling precincts will serve voters from Guadalupe: Ramon Duterte National High School and Guadalupe Elementary School.
Abellana National High School -- Barangay Sambag 1 & 2
Residents from at least two barangays in Cebu City -- Sambag 1 and 2 -- will cast their vote at the Abellana National High School.
Sambag 1 has 10,515 registered voters, while Sambag 2 has 9,187.
Severina Chin, school principal, said that the school is also ready, as everything has been prepared, "from the rooms, to the precinct, to the cluster, because this is the usual place, or voting center for the two barangays."
She said that the school has also formed an "Election Task Force" to assist in the security surveillance in the area.
Camp Lapu-Lapu Elementary School -- Barangay Apas
"Hapsay gyud tanan," said Ronnie Joseph Gonzales, principal of Camp Lapu-Lapu Elementary School, when asked about their preparations.
He said the BEIs are preparing for the rooms that will be used as polling precincts.
Medical personnel and policemen will also be around, as 17,504 registered voters are expected to vote here.
On Friday, May 6, the BEIs who will be assigned to these schools, along with Comelec officials and volunteers, conducted the final testing and sealing of VCMS. No major glitch was reported. (Elizah Marie dela Rosa, CNU intern/Sunnex)