Makati City Mayor Abby Binay led the distribution of free school supplies and uniforms to the city's public school students, as well as laptops to teachers and teaching-related personnel, at the Nemesio I. Yabut Elementary School.

Binay, together with her husband, Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, turned over free school supplies including school uniforms, notebooks, pens and pencils, pad papers, socks, leather shoes, rubber shoes, bags, and jackets to students. They also distributed Go Bags and hard hats which will be kept in their classrooms and used in case of emergencies.

Meanwhile, the school's teachers and other teaching-related staff received laptops to enhance teaching delivery and administrative efficiency.

Binay explained that all public school students in the city are entitled to free school supplies and uniforms under the Project FREE (Free Relevant and Excellent Education) program.

On the other hand, a total of 1,410 laptops will be given to teachers and teaching-related personnel in Makati’s public schools, with Binay noting that supporting teachers has been a vital part of Makati’s education strategy under her administration.

“Our teachers deserve the tools to help them adapt to modern teaching methods and technology. These laptops will allow them to plan lessons better, access online resources, and manage their workloads more efficiently,” the mayor said.

At the same time, she said her administration has upgraded and expanded the benefits given to public school students.

The benefits are extended to elementary, junior high, and senior high school students at the start of every school year to ease the financial burden on parents and ensure that students are equipped to begin school with confidence.

“Wala na silang rason para hindi makapasok ang mga anak nila. Noong una, sinasabi—baon? Meron na kaming libreng pagkain sa school. May Project FEED (Food for Excellent Education and Development) kami. Tapos wala na ring problema sa uniporme. Dati pinapatahi ‘yong uniform, ngayon libre na. Sinasabi, walang sapatos? Libre na rin ang sapatos. So, there is no reason for parents na sabihing nag-drop out o hindi nag-aral ang anak nila (They no longer have a reason for their children not to go to school. In the past, they were saying the students have no allowance? We now have free school meals. We have Project FEED. Then there is no longer a problem with uniforms. The uniforms used to be sewn, now they are free. They are saying, no shoes? Shoes are also free. So, there is no reason anymore for parents to say that their children dropped out from school or did not study)," the local chief executive explained.

“This program reflects our vision for inclusive and quality education. We want every child in Makati to come to school ready to learn and confident that they have the tools they need to succeed,” she added. 

As part of the city’s efforts to strengthen school disaster preparedness, the city is also providing 13,698 Emergency Go Bags, 12,179 adult hard hats, and 5,650 small hard hats for students.

Each Go Bag contains basic emergency supplies such as water, food bar, emergency blanket, hand crank flashlight, whistle, ID card holder, sterile gauze pads, povidone wipes, surgical face masks, packs of towelettes, N95 respirator mask, and wound gel.

“We are not just preparing our students academically, but also making sure they are ready and safe when disaster strikes. Safety is an essential part of every school environment.” Binay said.

The distribution of school supplies, protective gear, and laptops is being done in various public schools in the city to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their supplies before the school year begins.