CAPAS, Tarlac — Few could imagine a mayor voluntarily surrendering his confidential fund. Yet Capas Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez did exactly that—proving what true public service looks like.
In an act of remarkable transparency, he waived his office’s ₱8 million confidential fund and redirected it to senior citizens and public school students.
The result was evident on the first day of classes, June 8, 2026, when the municipality of Capas successfully carried out the simultaneous distribution of free school supplies to all public elementary schools across the town, including mountain schools.
More than 18,600 pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 6 each received a new school bag containing grade-level-appropriate learning materials.
Mayor Rodriguez personally led the distribution in various schools, coinciding with the opening of the school year.
“Kung nakakayaman lang po ang salitang ‘Thank you,’ siguradong milyonaryo na ako ngayong araw na ito! Nakatataba ng puso at nakapapawi ng lahat ng pagod ang mapanood ang mga ngiti at pasasalamat ng ating mga young learners,” the mayor said on his social media post.
He added, “Walang sayang na pagod at sakripisyo para sa ikabubuti ng bayan—lalo na kung para sa kinabukasan ng kabataang Capaseño. Ang tagumpay ng ating programang FREE School Supplies mula sa ating waived ₱8M Confidential Fund ay tagumpay ng buong Capas na nagbayanihan para sa inyo.”
The mayor previously directed the local finance committee to remove the confidential fund expense item from the 2026 budget, citing transparency and inspiration from Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.
“I will be relinquishing my confidential funds for next year in the amount of 8 million pesos a year, as I am directing the local finance committee to remove this expense item from our budget,” Rodriguez wrote earlier.
“Instead, we will use this P8-million confidential fund to increase the assistance fund for our senior citizens, and in our desire to allocate funds to provide school supplies for our young students.”
Vice Mayor Alex C. Espinosa also led the distribution of free school supplies and slippers for indigenous students at O’Donnell High School, aimed at supporting local learners with basic school items as they return to classes.
The local government announced that distribution for Kindergarten, Alternative Learning System (ALS), and Special Education (SPED) learners will follow immediately.
Students, parents, and teachers expressed overwhelming gratitude, with many personally thanking the mayor for the zero-cost, well-organized welcome on the first day of school.
The mayor emphasized that there is no greater investment for the town’s future than the education of its youth. He said that every notebook, pencil, and school supply distributed carries the message that the local government believes in the children’s abilities and dreams.
Rodriguez expressed his hope that this would serve as an inspiration for students to work hard, dream high, and continuously reach for their aspirations, adding that the success of every child from Capas is the success of the entire town.
