Singapore School Bacolod seen boosting education, economy

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Mayor Greg Gasataya said he is optimistic that establishing a Singapore-based school in the city will expand academic opportunities for Bacolod students and support local development.

Gasataya joined Singapore School President Trixie Suarez and Megaworld Corp. President and CEO Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso at the groundbreaking of Singapore School Bacolod at Northill Gateway, Megaworld’s 53-hectare township along the Bacolod–Silay Airport Access Road, on Tuesday.

Gasataya said an international school in the city would give students more avenues to excel academically and compete globally.

“This international school will provide better opportunities for our learners who are aiming to study in bigger universities abroad,” the mayor said, adding that the project will also boost the city’s economic development.

Megaworld said the campus is the first Singapore International School in the Negros Island Region and Western Visayas.

The Bacolod campus will be the fifth Singapore School campus in the Philippines, joining existing campuses in Manila, Clark, Cavite, and Cebu.

Located along Cane Street at Northill Gateway, the Bacolod campus is envisioned as a green campus that integrates the city’s local character while upholding international education standards.

Suarez, who also serves as school head of Singapore School Cebu, said strong demand from parents seeking international education options drove the decision to open a campus in Bacolod.

She said the school will train local teachers to adapt to the Singaporean curriculum for elementary levels and the Cambridge curriculum for secondary education to ensure high-quality instruction while preserving local identity.

“There’s so much potential and promise here, and we’re very excited to educate the children of Bacolod,” Suarez said.

Suarez added, “Through this, they will be able to aspire and reach the top universities in the world.”

The school is expected to open for School Year 2027–2028, with classes scheduled to begin July 27, 2027.

Megaworld, a Philippine property developer known for building master-planned townships, said the project forms part of Northill Gateway’s education-focused developments in Bacolod.