Elementary students in Bacolod started receiving free school supplies, beginning with schools in District 1, Sept. 17.
The initial recipients are 1,206 pupils of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School I, ABES II with 1,543 pupils, Banago Elementary School I with 1,789 recipients, Banago ES II – 1,016, Mandalagan ES – 1,366, and Abkasa ES, 652 pupils.
Each student received a school kit with 10 notebooks, four rolls of writing pad paper, a box of black ballpen, pencils, and a plastic envelope with a handle and zipper, the city said in a press release.
Mayor Greg Gasataya emphasized the free school supplies benefit in supporting families and encouraging students. “Our commitment (is that) by next school year, we will release the supplies before classes start.”
The distribution of school supplies, with a P32-million allocation, experienced delays due to the implementation of Republic Act 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Education, assured improvements in future distributions.
“I take full responsibility in the delay on the distribution of the school supplies (due to) changes in the Procurement Law. We will make sure that the school supplies are delivered on time next school year,” he stressed.
Gasataya urged students to do well in class. “Our request is for you to really study well. The city will support you as much as we can.” ||
