The Department of Education (DepEd) has refuted claims that the moving up ceremony for Marigondon National High School in Lapu-Lapu City began at 3 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29. These claims arose from a now-deleted social media post alleging that students had to wake up between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. to prepare for their Grade 10 graduation.
DepEd Central Visayas Director Salustiano Jimenez clarified that the processional started at 5 a.m., with the actual program commencing at 6 a.m. “The program was at 5 a.m. because there was no other schedule available for the hoops dome,” Jimenez explained.
Jimenez added that the early start was not an issue since daylight begins at 5 a.m. He also noted that the ceremony had to accommodate 1,500 completers who needed to walk the stage to receive their diplomas.
The need for an early ceremony was also due to another private school graduation scheduled for that afternoon at the same venue, necessitating an early start and finish for Marigondon National High School’s event.
Additionally, a DepEd Central Office order mandates that ceremonies must be conducted within the month of May. DepEd is currently addressing the need for larger venues to accommodate the growing number of students in large schools like Marigondon National High School.
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