SC announces traffic rules near UST during Bar exam Sundays in October

Motorists and pedestrians will face restricted movement during the four Sundays of October near the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where this year's Bar exams are being held, in line with security measures drawn up by the Supreme Court and law enforcers.

Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina Layusa said the procedures aim to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exams, which have been disrupted by violent incidents in the past.

"As agreed upon with the police authorities, they shall closely monitor and regulate the use of the sidewalks surrounding UST on all Bar Examination Sundays. They shall disperse groups clustered at these sidewalks, particularly during the entry and exit of the examinees, and during lunch breaks," she said.

She said police may also declare portions of the sidewalks off-limits to pedestrian traffic if necessary.

Layusa said España Boulevard, P. Noval Street and Lacson Street shall be open to vehicular traffic at all times.

Dapitan Street from the corner of Lacson Street to P. Noval Street shall be open to vehicular traffic, "except from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the examinees’ lunch break," she said.

The pedestrian overpass in front of Gate 3 at España Boulevard shall be for the "exclusive use" of Bar examinees and personnel, she added.

Bar examinees who want to use the overpass shall be required to show their notices of admission and gate passes, while bar personnel will be required to present their identification cards to police, SC guards, and barangay officials deployed there.

Loading, unloading

Layusa said buses carrying Bar examinees shall unload their passenger-examinees at designated and marked unloading points before UST’s Gates 2, 3 and 4.

Each bus shall have five minutes for their unloading.

Buses are to line up at the bus lane nearest the sidewalk of España Blvd. to unload passengers. Any overflow "shall line up at the lane nearest the sidewalk of Lacson Street to wait for their turn to unload at España Blvd," she said.

Only authorized vehicles, such as those with car passes issued by the Office of the Bar Confidant, will be allowed to enter UST at the España gate.

Bar examinees arriving in private vehicles are required to alight at España Blvd. at the designated unloading points.

Law school deans shall enter through Gate 14 on Lacson Street, and can park their vehicles at the UST Multi-Deck Carpark in front of the UST Hospital.

Churchgoers

Layusa said churchgoers going to the UST Church (Santisimo Rosario Parish) must enter through Gate 7 on P. Noval Street.

Churchgoers’ private vehicles will be allowed to enter Gate 5 on España Blvd., and exit at Gate 7 on P. Noval Street, she said.

"These vehicles will only be allowed to park in front of the UST Church along Gonzales Drive, but the parking spaces available are limited. Improperly parked private vehicles shall be asked to leave the UST compound," she said.

People going to the UST Hospital must enter through Gate 14 on Lacson Street and can only park their vehicles at the University’s Multi-Deck Carpark in front of the UST Hospital.

Gate 14 at Lacson Street shall only be used as entry gate for the use of persons going to the UST Hospital. Bar examinees and personnel cannot use this gate and must enter through the assigned España gates, Layusa said.

Contingency plans

In case of rain, Supreme Court and Court of Appeals buses may transport Bar examinees and duty personnel to the UST from:

If there is flooding inside the UST compound before the Bar Examinations start, SC commuter vans may transport bar examinees and duty personnel from the UST gates to their respective examination buildings within UST.

Should flooding persist after the exam, the SC and CA shuttle buses shall then be available to transport examinees and duty personnel from the UST to drop-off areas including:

- northbound passengers: up to Quezon City Memorial Circle
- southbound passengers: at Park and Ride on Lawton, Supreme Court premises, and Coastal Mall Terminal in Parañaque
- for Makati area: drop-off area at the Ayala Center (Glorietta and Greenbelt)
- for Marikina area: the Marikina Sports Complex.

— LBG, GMA News