Dagupan City National High School will hold a simple but meaningful graduation and moving-up ceremonies for about 2,000 students as part of the Department of Education’s cost-cutting measures, officials said.

The school aims to prioritize safety, practicality, and the spirit of the event over lavish celebrations.

“Hindi magastos at hindi kinakailangan na magarbo ‘yung kasuotan at hindi po mahalaga na extra ordinary ‘yung venue. Ang mahalaga po rito ay ‘yung safety at protection ng mga learners. Dapat maisagawa sa indoor venues with proper ventilation,” Cesar Bucsit, head of DepEd-1’s Public Affairs Unit, said.

The school will hold ceremonies for junior and senior high graduates at the same venue, with separate sessions in the morning and afternoon. Recognition rites for non-graduating students will be limited to save costs. Students are encouraged to wear their official school uniform, topped with a sablay for graduates.

“We encourage talaga the school uniform. Actually, napag-usapan sa PTA assembly that the learners will have to wear their official uniform but on top of that the parents also agreed that they will be having ‘yung sablay,” Dr. Willy Guieb, principal IV of Dagupan City National High School, said.

The “no collection” policy will be strictly enforced to avoid extra expenses for parents, while still maintaining the ceremony’s significance.

“Ang graduation and recognitions po natin ay binibigyan po talaga ng halaga since ‘yun po ‘yung tinitingnan ng mga bata or mga students as their accomplishment po as their rewards sa mga pinaghirapan po nila throughout the school year po,” Jhaezmine Nicole Garcia, SSLG president, said.

The school year 2025-2026 will officially end on March 30, with graduation and moving-up ceremonies scheduled for March 30 or 31.