These Metro Manila Roads Will be Closed for the 2026 Bar Exams
Expect heavier traffic and take alternate routes.
by Zoe Andin
Published on Sep 2, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Heads up, motorists: Several roads across Metro Manila will be closed or rerouted on September 6 (Sunday), September 9 (Wednesday), and September 13 (Sunday) as 13,441 aspiring lawyers take the 2026 Bar Examinations.
The Supreme Court released an advisory on September 1 detailing road closures and traffic management schemes around the fifteen local testing centers in the country.
Of the fifteen centers, seven are located in Metro Manila:
Ateneo de Manila University School of Law
Manila Adventist College
New Era University
San Beda College Alabang
San Beda University
University of the Philippines - BGC
University of Santo Tomas
Also read: After 11 Attempts, This Examinee Finally Passed the Bar Exams
Road closures and alternate routes for 2026 Bar exams
Local governments and police have prepared rerouting plans around the testing centers to keep traffic flowing smoothly during the three testing dates. As the Bar is considered one of the toughest professional licensure exams, it’s no surprise that families and friends want to show up for their loved ones from send-offs during the early mornings to the last-day salubong.
Whether you’re sending love to an examinee or working or living in Makati, Quezon City, Taguig, Pasay, or Muntinlupa on September 6, 9, and 13, check the advisories below to plan your route. Some major roads will be closed for up to six hours.
Manila
Several roads around San Beda University - Mendiola and the University of Santo Tomas will be closed on September 6, 9, and 13.
Mendiola Street (from Peace Arch up to Concepcion Aguila Street) and Concepcion Aguila Street (from Mendiola Street until Jose P. Laurel Street) will be closed from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The eastbound lane of Legarda Street, from San Rafael St. until Mendiola, will also be closed during the same time.
For those going toward the UST area, keep in mind that España Boulevard will have assisted traffic management on the two westbound lanes from Gate 2 of the University of Santo Tomas until P. Noval Street from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and again from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on September 6 and 9. The same scheme will apply on the morning of September 13, from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Dapitan Street from Lacson Avenue will be fully closed to traffic from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on September 6, 9, and 13. The westbound lanes of España Boulevard from Lacson Avenue to P. Noval Street will also be fully closed from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on September 13, the last day of the Bar.
UST campus maintenance personnel have also begun setting up barricades throughout the university. Affected academic units will shift to an enhanced virtual mode of instruction from September 2 to 15, according to The Varsitarian.
Quezon City
The Quezon City government has not closed roads around New Era University. However, the government will enforce a no-parking policy along Central Avenue from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during exam days. Cars will also not be allowed to U-turn along Central Avenue from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Examinees will be directed to use the outer lanes of Central Avenue, while regular vehicular traffic will continue in the inner lanes from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Makati City
Unlike last year’s Bar exams, Rockwell Drive and Hidalgo Drive around Ateneo de Manila University School of Law will not be closed to traffic during the exam days. However, pick-up and drop-off will be designated to one lane. Anticipate heavy foot traffic around the Rockwell area after the exam days.
Taguig City
There will be no road closures or traffic rerouting in and around the University of the Philippines-Bonifacio Global City. However, motorists can expect medium to heavy vehicular traffic from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. as examinees enter and exit the campus.
Pasay City
Partial road closures in front of Manila Adventist College will be in effect from 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on September 6, 9, and 13. The road closures cover part of San Juan Street between Leveriza and Donada, and part of Donada Street between Buendia Avenue and San Juan.
Visitors to surrounding places such as Adventist Medical Center Manila are advised to plan alternative routes and expect heavy traffic in the area.
Muntinlupa City
There are no expected road closures or rerouting schemes along Alabang-Zapote Road, Don Manolo Boulevard, and Don Jesus Boulevard, the major thoroughfares leading to San Beda College Alabang.
On top of being one of the testing centers, San Beda College Alabang will also serve as the Supreme Court’s national headquarters for the 2026 Bar. Again, motorists are advised to follow traffic enforcers in the area to ensure smooth vehicular flow during the Bar examination days.
Zoe thinks a lot but forgets just as much. Writing helps her deal with both problems. When she isn't writing, she spends time baking sweets, wandering around, or staring up at the moon.