BACOLOD CITY – Councilor Al Espino, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Education, said they hope to distribute PHP29 million worth of free school supplies to public pre-school and elementary learners by next month.
“We really want to push through with the distribution of school supplies this month,” Espino said.
“We are hoping that by the first day of school, we will be able to proceed.”
“But unfortunately, we are constrained by the new revisions to the procurement law,” he added, referring to Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Espino said he spoke with the Bids and Awards Committee chairman recently about the steps needed for the procurement process and is awaiting a response.
The Department of Education processed the purchasing request, which includes pencils, ballpens, notebooks, paper and other supplies.
Despite some delays, Espino said he has been researching how other local government units and agencies are proceeding.
Many are reportedly still using the old bidding documents for procurement.
“We are doing our best,” he said.
“If all goes well, we are hopeful it can be distributed by mid-July,” he added, though he declined to give an exact date.
Last year, more than 72,000 students from preschool to Grade 6 received free school supplies, Espino said.
In August 2023, the city distributed PHP30 million worth of supplies, including notebooks, pad papers, pencils, sharpeners and plastic envelopes, to kindergarten through Grade 6 pupils in 44 public schools.
Espino said they are working to ensure timely distribution despite constraints.
“However, the constraints brought about by the revised procurement law have, in a way, shackled us,” he said.
“We are all waiting.”
“The reality is that some of these issues are beyond our control, but I take full responsibility for my earlier statement,” he added.
He said an official announcement will be made soon.
“Our main goal is to ensure our students—especially those in need—receive the necessary school supplies for this academic year,” he said.
Despite the delay, he assured that the kits will be substantial.
In 2016, the City Council approved an ordinance authored by former Councilor Caesar Distrito to provide free educational materials to all public elementary students in Bacolod. (Glazyl Jopson via tdg)