• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The distribution of free school supplies to elementary and kindergarten pupils in Bacolod City is nearing completion, as 57,692 pupils have received their supplies.
According to City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, the city’s overall target is to provide free school supplies to 67,195 pupils.
That leaves approximately 9,500 pupils, across six remaining schools, yet to be served, with the distribution expected to be completed within this week.
Mayor Greg Gasataya has personally overseen the distribution rounds across 41 elementary schools that started last September 17.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of the committee on education, stated that they allocated a total of P32 million budget for this year’s distribution.
The school supplies were supposed to be distributed during the opening of classes, but it was moved to late August, and then due to the new procurement law, it was delayed once more to September.
“It is our priority that next year, the distribution of school supplies is on time, under the new procurement law, we have this option of early procurement, once we prepare all the documents then we can bid early and distribute early,” Mayo said.*
