BACOLOD CITY – The City Council proposed to increase this highly-urbanized city’s annual budget for free school supplies from P15 million to P50 million to address the increasing number of public elementary students and the rising cost of learning materials.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently approved on first reading amendments to City Ordinance No. 09-16-787, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, which mandates the provision of free educational materials to all public elementary school students in the city.

Under the proposed revision, the list of school supplies will be expanded to include essentials such as notebooks, folders, writing instruments, rulers, erasers, pad paper, sharpeners, and pencil cases. If funds permit, school bags and PE and school uniforms may also be provided.

“This ordinance reinforces our commitment to accessible and quality education,” Distrito said, adding that the amendments address previous issues with limited funding and delays in supply distribution.

The measure also aligns procurement procedures with Republic Act No. 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act to ensure transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in the acquisition of materials.

A procurement committee will be created, working in coordination with the Department of Education and the Bids and Awards Committee, to guarantee timely delivery of supplies before the start of the school year.

In cases where regular funding is insufficient, the ordinance allows tapping into the Special Education Fund (SEF), subject to approval by the Local School Board.

“This is a concrete step toward easing the financial burden on families and empowering our young learners,” Distrito said. “No child’s education should be held back due to lack of basic resources.”

The proposed ordinance will undergo further discussion before final approval.