University Belt in Manila closed for 2023 bar exams

The annual bar examination will happen on September 17, 20, and 24 at San Beda University (Manila) and the University of Santo Tomas. As these locations are the two main centers in Manila, the city is taking precautionary measures to ease traffic flow in the area.

Today, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) announced the closure of the following street from 3:30 AM to 9 AM and from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM on the said dates – Dapitan Street from Lacson Avenue to Padre Noval Street, the two eastbound lanes of Legarda Street from San Rafael Street to Mendiola Street, both lanes of Mendiola Street from the Peace Arch to Malacañang, and both lanes of Concepcion Aguila Street from Mendiola to Jose Laurel Street.

In addition, the two westbound lanes of España Boulevard from Lacson Ave. to Padre Noval St. will close on the said dates from 2:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Other testing locations selected by the Supreme Court include San Beda College Alabang, University of the Philippines – Diliman, Manila Adventist College (San Juan), and the University of the Philippines – Bonifacio Global City as additional testing centers in the metropolis.

The cities of the other testing centers have not announced any road closures but the Quezon City government said heavy traffic could be expected along University Ave., C.P. Garcia Ave., Katipunan Ave., and Commonwealth Ave. from 3:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM during these three days.

Testing centers outside of Metro Manila include the following Saint Louis University, Cagayan State University, and University of Nueva Caceres in Luzon; University of San Jose – Recoletos, University of San Carlos, and Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation in the Visayas; and Xavier University and Ateneo de Davao University in Mindanao.

If you find yourself near any of these locations during those dates, note the rerouting scheme prepared by your city and be ready for traffic jams. Good luck to all examinees!