Mandaue public school pupils getting free school supplies

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Government, through the Special Education Fund (SEF), has allocated ?80 million for free school supplies for public school students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

From this amount, the city government has already started distributing free school supplies and physical education (P.E.) uniforms to students in all public elementary schools across the city.

The program is being implemented to help ease the financial burden on parents during the back-to-school season.

City Councilor Malcolm Sanchez, chairman of the Committee on Education, told reporters in an interview yesterday that the distribution coincided with the start of Brigada Eskwela, even though the official launching of the program is still being finalized.

“Ingon ana atong programa dinhi sa Dakbayan sa Mandaue nga makapanghatag og libreng school supplies sa mga bata,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez explained that kindergarten pupils will receive specialized kits, including flashcards, which are essential to their learning process.

Additionally, students from Grades 1 to 6 will receive basic learning materials such as a backpack, school pads, pens, notebooks, raincoat, and P.E. uniform.

Students will receive their supplies once they have completed enrollment, to ensure that resources are distributed fairly.

Sanchez said this project is very helpful, especially since every school opening, one of the main problems faced by parents is where to get and how to buy school supplies for their children.

“Naa ang Dakbayan sa Mandaue nagpakabana nga naghatag g’yud og importantansya sa atong mga kaigsuonang estudyante sa dakbayan nga ang edukasyon priority g’yud nato,” he said.

A ceremonial turnover of the school supplies is scheduled after the election ban, likely toward the end of June.

The program is funded by the city’s ?80 million SEF and is intended to benefit all 39,000 enrolled public elementary pupils in Mandaue City.

However, this number is still based on enrollment data from the end of school year 2024–2025 and may still change as enrollment continues.

“As of now wala pa tay final data. Ongoing pa ato nga enrollment,” said Edgar Espina of the Department of Education (DepEd) Mandaue Division’s administrative office.

In terms of distribution, Mandaue City Central School, led by principal Louwela Guerrero, began distributing supplies as early as yesterday.

Guerrero said that all enrolled students at Mandaue City Central can claim the free school supplies by presenting their claim stubs.

She added that Mandaue City Central had 3,730 students based on last school year’s records.

She also said that for late enrollees or if the number of students increases, the school will find a way to ensure that they too can receive supplies.

Guerrero mentioned that they are expecting a 2% increase in enrollment compared to the previous school year.

She also encouraged parents to enroll their children early to avoid any delays.

“In Mandaue ang mga bata pinangga g’yud kaayo kay gi-provide-an man sila og mga materials unya mora’g makatabang ta sa ginikanan ana,” said Guerrero. — (FREEMAN)