ARCHIVAL
CEBU CITY – Strict security measures will be enforced to ensure the smooth conduct of the Bar examinations here next month.
In an Executive Order (EO) issued by Mayor Nestor Archival Sr., a liquor ban will be implemented around the 100-meter zone of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Basak Campus, the designated testing site for this year’s Bar examinations in Cebu City.
This year’s Bar which will be held in various regional venues will be on Sept. 7, 10, and 14.
The Supreme Court has tapped 14 Local Testing Centers (LTCs) nationwide for the Bar.
In the Visayas, designated venues are USJ-R Basak (Cebu City), the Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation (Tacloban City), and Central Philippine University (Iloilo City).
The liquor ban will take effect from 9 p.m. the night before each examination day until 10 p.m. on exam day.
“The city government is committed to ensuring a successful conduct of the 2025 Bar examinations. At the request of the Supreme Court, the city government has agreed to impose a liquor ban for the orderly and smooth conduct of the exams,” Archival stated in the EO.
While the ban is in effect, alcohol consumption will be prohibited in all public areas within the perimeter.
The EO stated that businesses such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, convenience stores, and ‘’sari-sari’’ stores are not allowed to serve or permit drinking during the ban.
The sale of alcoholic beverages, however, remains allowed, so long as consumption happens outside the restricted zone.
The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) was tasked to map out all affected establishments and circulate the official list to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) Office, and Barangays Basak Pardo and Quiot Pardo for enforcement.
Also in the EO, concerned agencies were ordered to strictly enforce City Ordinance No. 512 against public drunkenness and City Ordinance No. 309, the city’s Anti-Noise Ordinance.
“These measures are necessary to provide a quiet, orderly environment for examinees,” Archival said.