BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Government will procure additional school supplies to accommodate late enrollees in public schools after reports showed that some students enrolled after the initial distribution had already been completed.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said all school supplies allocated for public elementary schools under the Bacolod City Schools Division had been distributed to their respective schools as of June 7, 2026. The distribution of school bags and physical education (PE) uniforms for Grades 7 to 12 began on June 8 and is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.
However, the city government received reports that several schools recorded additional enrollees after the distribution of supplies had already taken place.
“We will coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), and all school principals will be asked to submit the updated number of late enrollees,” Gasataya said.
Most of these students were not included in the original estimates because many transferred from other schools.
The mayor assured parents that the city is prepared to provide the same school supplies, bags, and PE uniforms to all late enrollees.
“Parents do not have to worry. The city government is making the necessary preparations to ensure that additional enrollees will receive the same supplies as the other students,” he said.
Gasataya explained that the city initially projected a five-percent increase in enrollment compared to the previous school year. However, the actual number of enrollees has exceeded expectations due to the continued influx of students registering for the new academic year.
The city government expects to receive the final enrollment figures by Thursday, which will serve as the basis for determining the quantity of additional supplies needed.
“All school supplies have already been released. The distribution of school bags and PE uniforms is currently ongoing,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, Cabugwason Elementary School Principal Melanie Alimon of Barangay Mansilingan commended the initiative of the city government under Gasataya’s leadership, describing it as an example of good governance.
“Mayor Gasataya has ensured that the needs of the students are addressed, helping ease the financial burden on parents, especially with the rising cost of school supplies,” Alimon said.
She added that the program benefits not only parents but also teachers, as students are provided with the necessary learning materials at the start of the school year.
“This initiative is a great help to both parents and teachers. When students lack pencils, paper, and other school materials, it often becomes an additional burden for teachers,” she said.
Alimon also expressed gratitude to the mayor for the timely distribution of supplies.
“We are thankful to Mayor Gasataya for this program, especially because the supplies were distributed on time and were immediately used by the students. The prompt delivery ensured that classes started without delays,” she added.
Gasataya led the official launch of the distribution program together with Councilors Em Ang, Jason Villarosa, Atty. Caesar Distrito, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, and Al Victor Espino; Mansilingan Barangay Captain Franz Tionko; and representatives from the DepEd-Bacolod City Schools Division.
More than 113,000 students enrolled in 72 public elementary and secondary schools across Bacolod City are expected to benefit from the school supplies program for School Year 2026–2027.
The program is implemented under City Ordinance No. 09-16-787, which provides free school supplies to public elementary school students in the city./PN
