BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Government officially kicked off today, June 8, the distribution of free school supplies, school bags, and Physical Education (PE) uniforms to more than 113,000 public elementary and secondary school students, coinciding with the opening of classes for School Year 2026–2027.
Mayor Greg Gasataya led the launch of the distribution, highlighting what he described as a milestone initiative under his administration.
For the first time, public secondary school students are included in the city’s educational assistance program, with the distribution being carried out on time at the start of the school year.
“This is our commitment to helping families ease the burden of back-to-school expenses. Parents no longer need to worry about buying school supplies because the city government is ready to provide them,” Gasataya said.
The city aims to complete the distribution within the week, similar to last year’s rollout.
Under the program, the city government will distribute free school supplies and bags to approximately 64,625 kindergarten and elementary students, while around 46,694 junior and senior high school students will receive school bags and PE uniforms.
The educational assistance package includes notebooks, writing pads, ballpens, pencils, sharpeners, customized backpacks, sling bags, and one set of PE uniforms.
Funding for the program comes from the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF).
Gasataya also clarified that the backpacks and sling bags bear only the logo of the Bacolod City Government and do not feature the names or images of any elected officials.
Kindergarten students will receive four notebooks, three writing pads, one box of 12 pencils, two sharpeners, and one customized backpack.
Students in Grades 1 to 3 will receive 10 notebooks, four intermediate pads, one box of 12 pencils, two sharpeners, and one customized backpack.
Students in Grades 4 to 6 will receive 10 notebooks, four intermediate pads, two boxes of black ballpens (24 pieces), two red ballpens, two pencils, and one customized backpack.
Meanwhile, students from Grades 7 to 12 will receive one sling bag and one PE uniform shirt.
According to Gasataya, more than 113,000 public school students are expected to benefit from the city’s free school supplies and uniform program this year.
The program is implemented under City Ordinance No. 09-16-787, which provides free school supplies to public elementary school students.
The ordinance establishing the educational assistance program was enacted in 2016./PN
