Heads up: Road closures in Manila due to bar exams

For those traveling to Manila this weekend, there is a heads-up coming from the city's government and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The Manila Police District (PNP-MPD) will close down some roads to make way for the bar exams to be held this weekend. These measures will take effect on February 4 and February 6, 2022.

If you noticed, we said 'and' but not 'to'. That's because no exams will take place on February 5 meaning there will be no closures on Saturday. So what areas will be affected for two days? Per the MMDA, these are the vicinities of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Far Eastern University (FEU), and De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU).

The a section of the westbound lane of Espana Boulevard will be closed on those days. It will stretch from Lacson Avenue to P. Noval. The westbound lane of N. Reyes from Espana to CM Recto will also be closed off to traffic. As for Taft Avenue, the southbound lane from Quirino St. to Estrada St. will not be passable to motorists.

As for alternate routes, these are the recommended detours per the MMDA and PNP-MPD:

For those who need to get to Espana westbound, turn right at Lacson, then turn left at Dapitan or A.Mendoza to run parallel with the main road. Road users may also take the Nagtahan bridge route.

Those traveling along N. Reyes westbound must turn right at P. Campa St., then left at A.Mendoza towards CM Recto.

Motorists along Taft Avenue heading towards Makati are advised to turn right Quirino Avenue, then left to Adriatico, and left to P. Ocampo to bypass the closed road. Another detour is to turn right at L. Guinto Street, then right to Estrada Street, and left at Taft Avenue.