ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Motorists and commuters passing through Jaro, Iloilo City should prepare for temporary road closures and traffic rerouting as Central Philippine University (CPU) gets ready to host the 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations on September 6, 9 and 13.
The Iloilo City government will implement intermittent traffic restrictions along portions of Lopez Jaena Street to help ensure the examinations proceed safely and without unnecessary disruptions.
Road closures around CPU
According to the latest traffic advisory, the affected portion of Lopez Jaena Street will run from the Marimar Subdivision corner to Cabangbang Street.
For September 6 and 9, the intermittent closures will be implemented during these periods:
- 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The same time windows will apply on September 13, but traffic restrictions will be expanded to include another portion of Lopez Jaena Street, from the Iloilo Coliseum corner to Cabangbang Street.
Traffic enforcers will be deployed in the affected areas to guide motorists and implement the rerouting scheme.
Authorities are advising commuters and drivers to leave earlier, plan alternative routes and follow instructions from traffic personnel throughout the three examination days.
Why Iloilo is preparing for heavier traffic
CPU is one of 15 Local Testing Centers nationwide for this year’s Bar Examinations and is the only testing center in Western Visayas.
The other Visayas testing centers are the Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation in Tacloban City and the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City.
CPU has hosted the Bar examinations before, including in 2022, 2024 and 2025, and is again being used as a regional testing venue in 2026.
The Supreme Court has designated 15 testing centers for the 2026 Bar, an increase from 14 centers used the previous year. The centers are spread across Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
2026 Bar Exams will run for three days
The examinations are scheduled for:
September 6, 2026
Political and Public International Law; Commercial and Taxation Laws
September 9, 2026
Civil Law and Land Titles and Deeds; Labor Law and Social Legislation
September 13, 2026
Criminal Law; Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics, with Practical Exercises
Each day has morning and afternoon sessions, from 8 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The examinations will be localized and digitalized at the designated testing centers.
The Supreme Court’s July announcement said 14,291 applicants had registered, the highest number in Bar history at that point.
Iloilo also imposes a 500-meter quiet zone
Traffic isn’t the only concern.
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has also ordered measures intended to protect examinees from noise and other disruptions around CPU.
A 500-meter noise-control zone will be enforced around the university during the examination dates, with restrictions covering the surrounding area.
The city has also announced a liquor ban within 500 meters of CPU covering the periods surrounding the three examination dates.
These measures are intended to provide Bar examinees with a quiet, orderly and secure environment while they take one of the country’s most important professional examinations.
Police also prepare for nationwide Bar security
The traffic restrictions in Iloilo are part of a much broader national preparation.
The Philippine National Police said it will implement comprehensive security and traffic measures at all 15 testing centers. Police will coordinate with local authorities to manage traffic and movement around examination venues.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said there is no specific threat currently being monitored against the Bar examinations, but police presence will be maintained in key areas.
The security preparations will also account for families, supporters and law students participating in activities commonly known as “bar ops” around testing centers.
What Iloilo motorists should remember
For people traveling through Jaro and Lopez Jaena Street, the safest approach is to expect delays and avoid the affected road sections whenever possible during the announced closure periods.
With thousands of examinees, families, supporters, traffic personnel and security forces converging around CPU, even roads outside the immediate closure areas could experience heavier traffic.
For Bar takers, meanwhile, the message from authorities is simple: arrive early, follow traffic instructions and avoid unnecessary distractions.
The road restrictions may only last for specific periods, but for thousands of aspiring lawyers, these three days represent years of preparation — and the city is making sure traffic does not get in the way.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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