Extending Educational Assistance to NOHS Students
BACOLOD - Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya led the distribution of free school bags and supplies to 9,136 Negros Occidental High School students during the school’s flag ceremony on August 17, 2026. The assistance included sling bags, writing pads, and pens, marking the first time the city government extended this particular program to NOHS. The city said the initiative was provided because most of the school’s learners are residents of Bacolod. The distribution gives students additional resources for their daily schoolwork while helping families manage education-related expenses. For several Grade 7 learners, the assistance provided practical supplies they could immediately use for classes, including writing materials and additional paper.
Building a More Inclusive Education Support Program
Gasataya said the city intends to make the assistance for NOHS students an annual program and improve its implementation in the coming years. The mayor also emphasized that preparations should be completed earlier so that supplies can be distributed before the opening of future school years, similar to the city's existing assistance programs for other public schools. The initiative builds on previous education projects associated with the city government. Gasataya also recalled his earlier efforts supporting NOHS, including the construction of 48 classrooms during his time in Congress. The school remains under the Department of Education–Schools Division of Negros Occidental.
Investing in Students and Their Families
The assistance to NOHS forms part of a larger education support program funded through Bacolod’s PHP90-million Special Education Fund (SEF). Before the start of the current school year, the city distributed school bags and supplies to kindergarten and elementary pupils, as well as school bags and PE uniforms to high school students in public schools across Bacolod. More than 113,000 learners benefited from the broader program. Beyond providing school materials, the city government views the initiative as an investment in students' ability to participate effectively in school. By reducing some of the costs associated with basic learning supplies, the program aims to support learners and their families while reinforcing Bacolod’s continuing commitment to education.
