Mayor Gasataya Optimistic as New International School Breaks Ground in Bacolod

February 9, 2026

(From left to right) Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Jose Marty Go; Chloe Suarez; Ale Taneo, Assistant Admissions Officer, Singapore School Bacolod; Myrra Enriquez, School Administrator; Trixie Suarez, School President of Singapore School Bacolod; and Mayor Greg Gasataya during a courtesy call at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday, February 9, 2026. Also present were Servie Suarez and Mae Llamas, Head of the Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (D-LEDIP).*

A new international school is set to rise in Bacolod as Singapore School Bacolod breaks ground on February 9, 2026, marking another milestone in the city’s growing education and economic landscape.

Mayor Greg Gasataya welcomed the establishment of the Singaporean-based school, expressing optimism that it will enhance academic opportunities for Bacolodnon students while contributing to local development. He said the presence of an international school will give learners more avenues to excel academically and compete globally.

“This international school will provide better opportunities for our learners who are aiming to study in bigger universities abroad,” Gasataya said, emphasizing that the project will also boost the city’s economic development.

Singapore School Bacolod will be the fifth Singapore School campus in the Philippines, joining existing campuses in Manila, Clark, Cavite, and Cebu. The Bacolod campus, located along Cane Street at Northill Gateway by Megaworld, is envisioned as a green campus that integrates Bacolod’s local character while upholding international education standards.

School President Trixie Suarez, who also serves as school head of Singapore School Cebu, said the decision to establish a campus in Bacolod was driven by strong demand from parents seeking international education options for their children.

She emphasized the school’s commitment to training local teachers to adapt to the Singaporean curriculum for elementary levels and the Cambridge curriculum for secondary education, ensuring high-quality instruction while preserving local identity.

“There’s so much potential and promise here, and we’re very excited to educate the children of Bacolod,” Suarez said. “Through this, they will be able to aspire and reach the top universities in the world.”

The school is expected to open for School Year 2027–2028, with classes scheduled to begin on July 27, 2027.

Suarez added that the Bacolod campus reflects a shared vision with the city to nurture future leaders, professionals, and community builders. She underscored the importance of collaboration among the school, the community, and the local government in shaping graduates who are globally competitive yet culturally grounded.* (BCCO text & photos)