Bacolod readies PHP 90 million school aid

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya has assured parents and more than 100,000 public school students here that the city government will provide free school supplies, P.E. uniforms, and school bags before the opening of classes on June 8.

In a media briefing Monday, Gasataya said the city government has allocated PHP 90 million for the initiative, sourced from the Special Education Fund.

The Special Education Fund is used by local governments to support public education programs and facilities.

More than 111,000 students are expected to benefit from the program, including 64,625 pupils from kindergarten to Grade 6 and 46,694 students from Grade 7 to Grade 12.

Free school supplies for preschool and elementary pupils include notebooks, ballpens, pencils, pad paper, school bags, and other items.

Students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 will receive free school bags and P.E. uniforms.

Gasataya noted that this is the first time the city government has expanded the educational assistance to include P.E. uniforms for high school students, considering the ongoing crisis.

“This might not be the best, but in this way, we can provide free quality education to the students amid the crisis,” the mayor said.

Gasataya emphasized that despite the ongoing fuel crisis, the city remains committed to supporting students and easing the financial burden on families before classes begin in June.

Last year, the city government distributed free school supplies to public elementary students in September after months of delay due to government procedures, particularly the implementation of Republic Act 12009, also known as the New Government Procurement Act.

The city government is currently finalizing distribution measures for this school year to meet its target.

“Everything will be ready before June 8. We guarantee and assure the parents they have nothing to worry,” Gasataya said.

The mayor noted that the decision came after a series of coordination meetings with the Department of Education-Schools Division of Bacolod.

“Please consider this not as an expense from the city government. For us, this is an investment in the future of the youth of Bacolod City,” Gasataya said.

“That’s why we are allocating enough resources to make it easier for students, so, there will be no reason for them not to stay in school,” he added.

The program is anchored on a 2016 ordinance authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, which mandates the annual provision of free educational materials to all public elementary pupils in the city.