Over 400,000 Students Return to Schools in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – More than 400,000 students returned to schools in this city and in Negros Occidental as classes officially opened Monday, June 16.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Negros Occidental projected around 325,500 students to enroll in 576 public schools for School Year 2025–2026—1,500 more than last year’s 324,000.

Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson for the DepEd-Negros Occidental Schools Division, said enrollment will continue beyond the June 13 deadline, especially for transferees, as long as students can attend at least 80 percent of class days.

Arnaez said the original deadline was set to help with budget planning, but emphasized that no learner would be turned away.

“The enrollment will continue because we cannot deny any learners,” he said.

He also assured that schools were prepared for the opening of classes and that issues like overcrowding would be addressed through class shifting and other school-based solutions.

The division also supervises 111 private schools across the province.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Division of Bacolod City recorded 94,338 enrollees in public and private schools as of June 13.

From June 9 to 13, the city documented 47,738 male and 46,600 female enrollees.

Of the total, 81,566 students are enrolled in 70 public schools, while 12,670 students are registered in 73 out of 129 private schools.

RJ Paglomutan, Education Program Specialist II and spokesperson for DepEd-Bacolod, said enrollment increased by 30 to 40 percent this year compared to last year’s 60,000 to 70,000 during the same period.

He noted that Grade 4 and Grade 7 have the highest number of enrollees this school year.

Some private schools are still wrapping up the previous academic year and will begin their new school year in July.

Last year’s total enrollment in the city reached 125,000, and officials hope to match or exceed that figure.

Paglomutan said Brigada Eskwela helped prepare schools for the opening, though some campuses are still being modified to accommodate transferees, with old buildings being adjusted as needed.

The five Bacolod schools with the highest student populations are Bacolod City National High School, Handumanan National High School, Sum-ag National High School, Luis Hervias National High School, and Luisa Medel National High School.

Security Measures

To ensure a safe class opening, more than 500 personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) will be deployed to schools across the province starting June 16.

Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, Nocppo public information officer, said assistance desks, mobile units, and foot patrols will be activated under the annual integrated deployment plan for crime prevention.

Each desk will be manned by at least two officers per shift.

In a meeting with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Catalogo emphasized the need for police visibility to protect students, parents, and teachers.

Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said all personnel will be mobilized to cover schools in line with Philippine National Police directives.

Police Lt. Col. Lester Leada, deputy city director for BCPO, added that the security plan includes more mobile and beat patrols, with barangay force multipliers assisting in campus protection.