SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday called on the government to allow in-person graduation ceremonies in light of the lowering of pandemic alert levels in the National Capital Region and 38 other areas.

“If political rallies are allowed, it’s time we also allow in-person graduation ceremonies,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture said.

He emphasized that for both parents and students, graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The lawmaker said that public health protocols should be observed to avoid turning these ceremonies into superspreader events.

“Kung nakakapagsagawa na tayo ng mga aktibidad na dinudumog ng maraming tao tulad ng election campaigns, dapat bigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ang mga magulang at mga mag-aaral na magkaroon na ng face-to-face graduation,” Gatchalian said.

“Ang kasiyahang dulot ng pagtatapos ng mga mag-aaral ay nag-uudyok pa sa maraming mga magulang na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa na umuwi ng Pilipinas para lamang makadalo sa graduation ng kanilang mga anak. Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagbaba ng mga kaso ng Covid19, napapanahong ibigay din natin ang pagkakataong ito sa mga magulang at kanilang mga anak,” he added.

In April 2020, amid the prolonged imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon and other parts of the country, the Department of Education indefinitely postponed graduation and moving up ceremonies.