The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved on first reading Wednesday a landmark ordinance establishing the Bacolod City Education Office (CEdO), a move aimed at strengthening the city’s capacity to deliver responsive, inclusive, and future-ready education programs.
The proposed measure authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, titled the “Bacolod City Education Office Establishment Ordinance of 2026,” seeks to institutionalize a dedicated office that will serve as the local government’s central arm in planning, coordinating, and implementing education initiatives across all levels and is a product of the series of recommendations of the Congressional Education Commission II.
“The ordinance responds to evolving national policies and growing local demands for a more organized and data-driven approach to education governance. The measure ensures that Bacolod will have a permanent, professional structure focused on improving education outcomes, from early childhood to lifelong learning.” Distrito explained.
The proposed City Education Office will function as the LGU’s technical and administrative arm for all education-related concerns, including the management and optimization of the Special Education Fund (SEF), development and implementation of local education programs, strengthening early childhood care and foundational literacy initiatives, coordination with DepEd, local school boards, and other stakeholders, monitoring and evaluation of education performance indicators, and oversight of school facilities and infrastructure.
The ordinance also prioritizes key interventions such as nutrition programs for the first 1,000 days, supplemental feeding for young learners, expansion of early childhood education, and ensuring that all children achieve foundational literacy, alongside the establishment of specialized units for administration, planning, monitoring, community engagement, and workforce development to ensure a whole-of-government approach.
An initial appropriation of P10 million is proposed to support the establishment and operationalization of the office, including staffing, facilities, and essential resources, with Distrito underscoring that the investment is essential for long-term, sustainable improvements in the city’s education system.*
