BACOLOD City – The City Council is set to discuss a significant increase in funding for free school supplies to public elementary students.
The proposed amendment to City Ordinance No. 09-16-787, which currently allocates P15 million annually for free school bags and supplies, aims to double this budget to P30 million, according to Councilor Al Victor Espino, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) education committee.
The increase is intended to better support the educational needs of indigent families, ensuring that all students from Grade 1 to 6 receive necessary materials at the start of the school year.
Espino acknowledged a shortfall in the previous year’s supply distribution, attributing it to budget constraints and an increase in the cost of school supplies.
He noted that the previous allocation of P15 million was insufficient to cover the needs of approximately 72,000 students, averaging only P211 per student.
With the Local School Board now allowing the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF), the city is in the procurement process to ensure timely distribution of supplies for the 2024-2025 school year.
The amendment proposal not only seeks to adjust the funding to current economic conditions but also to enhance the broader goal of reducing educational expenses for families, thereby promoting greater access to quality education./PN
