In Bonifacio Global City, two worlds connect through a hole in the fence. BGC Butas, a community in Barangay South Cembo, offers affordable food and livelihoods to workers while highlighting urban inequalities.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig is known for its high-rise buildings and luxurious lifestyle, but behind it lies BGC Butas, a place locals call 'Lagusan' or 'Hole.' This dimly lit passageway links the modern district to the simpler residential area of Barangay South Cembo, which a barangay official compares to Quiapo in Manila for its untidiness.
BGC Butas originated in 1995 during major urban development. To allow construction workers passage, locals made a hole in the fence erected by BGC developers like Federal Land Incorporated. It involved part of 7th Avenue, formerly Makati territory, transferred to Taguig.
In 2018, the construction of Metrobank Center and Grand Hyatt Manila in Grand Central Park limited South Cembo's access. Under a Deed of Undertaking between Federal Land and Makati City, it became a gated Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) usable only for emergencies like ambulances, police, and fire trucks. Pedestrian access is exclusive to South Cembo residents.
Despite restrictions, many BGC workers use the hole for affordable food. 'Kasi dito, mura. Kalahating ulam lang, 40 [pesos]. Sa ganitong trabaho namin, kailangan magtipid,' said Melvin Gonzalez, a housekeeping staffer.
Eateries like Aida Verdin's, operating for over 20 years, serve as a lifeline. 'This eatery is what I have used to put my children through school,' she said. Mango vendor Arnel dela Torre noted, 'Dito mas makikita mo ‘yong komunidad.'
As buildings rose, jobs and population grew, leading to sari-sari stores and street food carts. Yet development raises concerns: Businessmen want to buy land, but access is limited. 'Siyempre, we welcome progress. Pero ‘yong katulad nito, since may boundary kasi, may walls, hindi sila makadaan,' the barangay official said.
Architect Isola Tong spotted the contrast in a Google Earth aerial view, asking, 'If the economy is thriving, why do ordinary Filipinos not feel its benefits?' Messenger Limuel Adan worries that moving food stalls inside BGC would draw complaints from the wealthy over 'pakalat-kalat.'
BGC Butas highlights the socioeconomic divide: Hope for some, but evidence of inequality for others.
