• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A proposed ordinance was filed in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, seeking to provide free school bags, supplies, and physical education uniforms to public secondary students, and anchoring eligibility on local residency, rather than Department of Education’s administrative jurisdiction.
Proponent-councilor Caesar Distrito said July 24 that while an earlier measure catered exclusively to elementary pupils, this new proposal expands coverage to high school students.
“The first ordinance is only exclusive for elementary,” Distrito stated. “This second one will be provided for our secondary students, with the provision that first, it is subject to the availability of funds, and second, the grant must be based on the City of Bacolod—not just on the administrative control of DepEd.”
Distrito specifically cited the situation of students at Negros Occidental High School (NOHS), who were initially excluded from city benefits as they were under the jurisdiction of the Division of Negros Occidental.
“That is why we specifically mentioned that the basis for granting student assistance, such as school supplies, school bags, and PE uniforms, would be based on residency requirements, not on the administrative control of DepEd,” he explained.
The measure stipulates that the aid will be subject to the availability of funds, which may be drawn from either the Special Education Fund (SEF) or the General Fund—subject to the approval of the Local School Board or the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
“Because before, it was exclusive to the SEF. If the DBM issues a circular and we cannot use the SEF, we can use the General Fund. That is why we incorporated this in our version of the ordinance,” Distrito said.
A public hearing will be scheduled to gather feedback from stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the SP has passed on third and final reading an ordinance elevating the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) into a full-fledged department.
“They will now have a department head, an assistant department head, and four divisions. This will take effect next year with the allocation of a budget as a full-fledged department,” Distrito said.
He added that the institutional upgrade complies with the national law, and supports Bacolod’s Seal of Good Local Governance standing, which mandates qualified department-level leadership for employment offices. | TMD
