In preparation for the upcoming University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT), the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) has announced the implementation of special transportation and traffic rules on campus this weekend.
“Tinatáyang aabutin ng 33,000 examinees sa bawat araw ng pagsusulit ang pupunta sa kampus, kayâ’t inaasahan ang pagbigat ng daloy ng trapiko sa loob ng kampus at sa mga kalapit na lugar nito,” Vice Chancellor Luis Maria Bo-ot said in a memorandum dated May 26.
“Ito ay pinag-usapan at pinagkasunduan ng Office of Admissions, UP Diliman Transportation Committee, at kasama dito ang iláng miyembro mulâ sa National Center for Transportation Studies,” he added.
During the exam days, the University’s “no ID/sticker, no entry” policy will be temporarily suspended to accommodate additional vehicles on campus. The OVCCA will set up information booths at six locations on campus to assist UPCAT takers.
Furthermore, the OVCCA has made the decision to prohibit joggers and bikers from using the Academic Oval this weekend to allow for the smooth movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Three out of the four lanes of the Oval will be designated for one-way traffic in a counter-clockwise direction. Vehicles will be given a maximum of ten seconds to load and unload passengers at designated drop-off points. Parking or waiting along the entire stretch of the Academic Oval, Magsaysay and Quirino Avenues, and Ma. Regidor Street will not be permitted.
In a special arrangement for this year’s UPCAT, public utility jeepneys will be allowed to use the Academic Oval.
The University Avenue and gates along Magsaysay, Velasquez, Jacinto, and Ylanan will be open to both entering and exiting vehicles. The Quirino Gate will only be accessible for vehicles exiting to Katipunan Avenue, while the Shuster Gate will accommodate those entering from Katipunan.
Additional gates will be opened to facilitate traffic. Vehicles intending to exit to CP Garcia Avenue may also utilize the Lakandula Extension, Pardo de Tavera Street, and Institute of Mathematics (IM) gates. Those desiring to exit to Commonwealth Avenue may use the Commission on Human Rights gate.
Specific traffic flow arrangements will be observed on various streets. Roces, Velasquez, Magsaysay, Ylanan, Laurel, Jacinto, Lakandula, Pardo de Tavera, and Delos Reyes will allow two-way traffic. On the other hand, one-way traffic will be implemented along the Academic Oval, Shuster, Quirino, F. Guerrero (from the Oval until Magsaysay), Apacible (from Laurel until Magsaysay), Agoncillo (from Magsaysay until Laurel), Kalaw, and Delos Santos. Streets within the National Science Complex will follow a one-way traffic flow in a counter-clockwise direction.
Designated parking areas will be available at Palma Hall, IM, Cine Adarna, University Theater, College of Mass Communication, College of Home Economics, Law Center, and other locations.
“Pinapaalalahanan pa rin ang lahat hinggil sa safety and health protocols. Panatilihin din nating malinis ang kampus,” Bo-ot said.
UP Diliman will host 18 testing centers for this year’s UPCAT.
The return of the UPCAT for freshman admissions in the academic year 2024-2025 marks the end of the three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to reinstate the UPCAT in 2023 was made last year by the President’s Advisory Council, which comprises the University President and Vice Presidents, the Secretary of the University and the Board of Regents, the Chancellors of UP’s constituent universities, the Director of the UP Philippine General Hospital, and the Executive Director of the UP Bonifacio Global City Campus.