The Bacolod City Government is taking a massive leap in its "Education First" policy by announcing a multi-million peso program that removes the financial burden of school supplies from thousands of local families. On May 4, 2026, Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that over 111,000 public school students will receive free school bags, supplies, and uniforms for the upcoming academic year. This ₱90-million initiative is funded through the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF) and is designed as a long-term investment in the youth rather than a mere government expense. By providing everything from PE uniforms for high schoolers to writing pads for kindergartners, the city is aggressively tackling the dropout rate by eliminating the "hidden costs" of public schooling.
Breaking the Barrier of Hidden Costs
The program’s primary goal is to ensure that no child in Bacolod is forced out of the classroom due to the rising costs of fuel and basic commodities. For the 64,625 elementary students covered by the ordinance, the "school kits" will include essential notebooks, writing pads, pens, and pencils, while 46,694 junior and senior high school students will receive free PE uniforms and bags. This level of support is particularly vital for families in the city's marginalized sectors, where the cost of a single uniform can often equal a week’s worth of groceries. By normalizing the provision of these materials, the city is creating a more level playing field for students regardless of their economic background.
A Sustainable Funding Model
The ₱90 million required for this massive rollout is sourced entirely from the Special Education Fund, a move that highlights the city’s fiscal priority toward human capital development. This sustainable funding model ensures that the program can continue annually without relying on sporadic donations or temporary grants. Mayor Gasataya has emphasized that this is a "no-reason" policy—aiming to leave students with no reason to stay away from school. The amended city ordinance, originally authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, provides a solid legal framework that protects this budget, ensuring that the "investment in the future" remains a permanent fixture of Bacolod’s legislative agenda.
The Resilience of the 'City of Smiles'
This announcement comes at a crucial time as the city navigates the global inflation crisis, offering a direct buffer for households struggling with the cost of living. The city’s proactive approach to education is being hailed as a "big help" by local parent-teacher associations, who have often had to shoulder these costs through various fundraising efforts in the past. By centralizing the procurement of quality educational materials, the city is also able to ensure that all students receive standardized, high-quality supplies that meet current pedagogical needs. As the new bags and uniforms are prepared for distribution, Bacolod reaffirms its commitment to building a resilient, educated population that can drive the city’s progress for decades to come.
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