BACOLOD City — As thousands of students prepare to return to school for the opening of School Year 2026–2027, the Bacolod City Government and national agencies have intensified efforts to ensure that learners and parents are ready for the new academic year through price monitoring, school supply assistance, and strengthened safety measures.
The Bacolod City Price Monitoring Team has begun closely monitoring the prices of school supplies across the city to protect consumers from unreasonable price increases during the back-to-school season.
City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said Mayor Greg Gasataya has repeatedly emphasized that public school students need not worry about basic learning materials, as the city government has allocated sufficient school supplies for distribution to elementary and secondary students enrolled in public schools.
The distribution of school supplies begins today, June 8.
However, Mayo acknowledged that many parents and students, particularly those attending private schools, colleges, and universities, may still opt to purchase their own school materials based on specific academic requirements and personal preferences.
To ensure the city’s readiness for the resumption of classes, Mayo said he has already issued directives to concerned departments and offices regarding their respective responsibilities during the school opening period.
Among those tasked to prepare is the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD), which has been directed to implement measures aimed at easing traffic congestion, one of the most common concerns during the opening of classes.
Mayo noted that while only public schools have resumed classes this week, with most private schools set to open next week, the city government is already closely monitoring traffic conditions and coordinating with relevant agencies to minimize disruptions.
“We have already instructed the concerned offices and departments to ensure that all necessary preparations are in place. Traffic management is one of our priorities, especially during the opening of classes when vehicle and pedestrian movement significantly increases,” Mayo said.
“We will ensure that traffic management will be properly implemented,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its monitoring activities as the opening of classes approaches.
DTI-Negros Occidental reported that it is regularly checking the prices of essential school items, including notebooks, paper, pencils, ballpens, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, and rulers.
The agency said the DTI Central Office has already released the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) for school supplies, which have been disseminated to retailers throughout the province.
According to DTI-Negros Occidental, no school supply retailer in the province has so far been found violating the prescribed SRP, providing assurance that consumers continue to have access to reasonably priced educational materials.
Beyond ensuring affordable school supplies, city officials are also focusing on student safety and traffic management as classes officially resume.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod recently approved two resolutions aimed at strengthening security, peace and order, and traffic management in and around schools across the city.
Authored by Councilor Atty. Caesar Z. Distrito, the resolutions call for stronger coordination among barangays, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to create a safe and orderly environment for students.
One resolution urges all 61 barangays in Bacolod to deploy barangay tanods and traffic personnel to strategic locations near elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.
The initiative seeks to support the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the BTTMD in managing traffic flow, maintaining peace and order, and ensuring the safety of students and pedestrians, particularly during peak arrival and dismissal hours.
The measure also encourages barangays to conduct regular patrols, closely monitor school zones, and coordinate with school administrators, parent-teacher associations, and law enforcement agencies in addressing potential security concerns.
A separate resolution calls on the BCPO, headed by City Director Col. Eugene Rabadomia, to increase police visibility through regular foot and mobile patrols around educational institutions throughout the city.
The resolution also advocates stronger anti-illegal drug campaigns, crime prevention programs, anti-bullying initiatives, and community engagement activities within schools to help create a secure learning environment.
Distrito emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach, noting that the reopening of classes significantly increases pedestrian and vehicular traffic around schools.
“The safety of our students must always be a top priority. Protecting our learners requires a whole-of-community approach involving barangays, law enforcement agencies, schools, parents, and local government. By strengthening coordination and increasing visibility, we can create a safer environment where students can focus on learning and personal development,” Distrito said./PN
