MANILA - Graduation rites will push through after the lockdown of half of the country's population to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education said Monday.

Schools are disallowed to hold the rites during Luzon's enhanced community quarantine as it is a violation of mass gathering, DepEd spokesperson, Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said.

"May provisions na dapat sundin—di pwede talaga ang mass gathering. Kung meron lang makakagawa ng online graduation rites I think this is their choice, 'di natin puwedeng pigilan as long as 'di natin vina-violate ang home quarantine," she told ABS-CBN News.

"I feel so sad kasi may mga batang outstanding, the teachers are also very considerate lalo na pag may speech o message they look forward to it."

Sevilla also cited DepEd's memorandum order no. 42, in which schools, in consultation with the Parents-Teachers Association, may choose to reschedule or forego the holding of the rites.

• DepEd: Schools to decide on graduation rites, moving-up ceremonies

The Philippines as of Monday confirmed 4,932 cases of COVID-19, with 315 deaths and 242 patients who recovered.

The lockdown on Luzon, home to half of the country's 100 million people was extended for 18 days until April 30 to arrest the pandemic's spread.

--Report from Jasmin Romero and Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News