At least 42,000 students and persons with disability (PWDs) enrolled in public schools here stand to benefit from a PHP19.2-million subsidy extended by the local government unit (LGU) that rolled out Thursday.

Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista said the program, dubbed “Back-to-School Student Subsidy,” aims to assist students and parents in purchasing the needed materials and uniforms, and recognize the rights of every learner to free and quality basic education.

“No formal ceremonies or speeches will be held,” Evangelista, a lawyer, said in an interview, adding that the grants will be handed to the students personally.

Funded under the LGU’s Special Education Fund, each student will receive PHP400, while the enrolled PWDs from the primary to secondary school levels will individually get PHP1,000.

The City Treasurer’s Office was tasked to schedule the direct and onsite cash distribution.

Evangelista said the grant will increase from PHP400 to PHP500 per student and from PHP1,000 to PHP1,500 per PWD in the school year 2025-2026.

He also committed to the Department of Education City Schools Division to further their partnership and implement more initiatives to deliver quality education to learners.

“No collection” shall be upheld in all public primary and secondary schools as mandated under Ordinance No. 19-034 or the Ordinance Providing Financial Subsidy to the Parents-Teachers Association in Kidapawan City.

The LGU has been implementing the school subsidy program since 2019. (PNA)