The Bacolod City Government is set to provide free school supplies and bags to all public elementary students from Kinder to Grade 6, as well as free school bags and physical education (PE) uniforms for students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 for the upcoming school year, an official announced on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Investment in Education Amid Crisis
Mayor Greg Gasataya emphasized that the initiative is not merely an expense but an investment in the future of the city's youth. “Please consider this not as an expense from the City Government. For us, this is an investment in the future of the youth of Bacolod City. That’s why we are allocating enough resources to make it easier for students, so, there will be no reason for them not to stay in school,” he stated.
The program will benefit at least 64,625 students from Kinder to Grade 6, who will receive free school supplies and bags, while at least 46,694 high school students will receive free school bags and PE uniforms. The funding will come from the Special Education Fund (SEF), with an allocation of at least P90 million for implementation.
Ordinance and Implementation
In 2016, the City Council approved an ordinance providing free educational materials to all public elementary school students in Bacolod, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito. The amended ordinance now includes free school kits containing notebooks, writing pads, pens, and pencils for elementary pupils, as well as bags and PE uniforms for high school students.
“As much as possible, the City Government will provide for the necessary needs of students in the midst of crisis. We believe one of the best things we can offer is free, quality education from Kindergarten to Senior High School,” Gasataya added.
The mayor noted that the decision followed a series of coordination meetings with the Department of Education-Schools Division of Bacolod. He added that distribution measures are being finalized to ensure that all school bags, supplies, and uniforms are delivered before the start of classes this school year.
