City council approves ordinance: Free school supplies for elementary pupils

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council approved yesterday an ordinance providing free school supplies and uniforms to at least 190,000 public elementary pupils in the city every year.

A ceremonial signing of the ordinance was done yesterday by Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama with all the city councilors as witnesses.

Before passing the ordinance the city government did a survey and learned that there are about 190,000 elementary students in the city.

“I think it is high-time that we should provide them free school supplies, in addition also free school uniforms and school shoes because I noticed that there are many children that are not able to go to elementary school because of poverty,” said Labella.

The ordinance was sponsored by Councilor Raymond Garcia. The city government has earmarked P500 million for education under the 2019 proposed annual budget. At least P350 million of the budget allocation for education was earmarked for the procurement of free school supplies and uniforms.

“The remaining will be for feeding programs because it is the thrust of our administration that there has to be feeding programs in our public elementary during the school year,” said Labella.

Labella also shared that now there is no more reason for parents not to send their children to school because school supplies required will be provided by the city.

Rama was thankful to Labella for approving the ordinance.

“What is a resolution, what is an ordinance if vetoed?” said Rama.  FPL (FREEMAN)