City Rules

As the newest central business district to be built in Metro Manila, BGC boasts the latest technological and sustainable features, raising the standards for all CBDs in the metro.

Sixteen years since it opened, BGC has expanded in leaps and bounds. Numerous residential and commercial high-rises have emerged in the area, along with a slew of retail, dining, and nightlife establishments. With the district’s growth comes the inevitable traffic issues that continue to plague Metro Manila as a whole.

And yet, BGC has avoided the congested feel one gets in other CBDs. The district’s grid layout, expansive sidewalks, green features and abundance of open spaces all contribute to making the area “breathable” despite its highly urban vibe.

BGC’s management is taking all measures to maintain the district’s high live-work standards. Rules and regulations are strictly enforced in the area, without unnecessarily restricting the movement of residents, workers and guests.

Here are some of the rules and regulations that you need to know to fully enjoy what BGC has to offer:

Traffic and Pedestrians

BGC is a pedestrian-friendly district. It boasts wide sidewalks lined with shops, restaurants and office buildings, making walking around the area a pleasurable exercise. Stoplights are also installed in most intersections and strategic points, making crossing the streets safe and easy for pedestrians.

In addition to following traffic signals, other rules to follow are as follows:

BGC doesn’t have a speed limit, but motorists are required to slow down to 5 kph when coming toan intersection without a traffic light.
Motorists must make a full stop at intersections without traffic lights before proceeding.
Pedestrians should cross the streets at a reasonable pace.

Parking

Parking can get challenging in BGC. However, management has recently added new parking buildings and open spaces near commercial centers to help address this concern.

BGC enforces strict parking rules to avoid traffic congestion, including:

Strict observance of no parking zones.
Waiting vehicles on streets, even with drivers, are not allowed.
Do not obstruct traffic with a stopped car.

Penalties for violating the abovementioned rules include parking tickets, fines, and towing.

Littering and waste management

BGC takes pride in being a clean and green district, and trash bins can be found everywhere. In addition to throwing trash in the proper bins, other rules to observe include:

Do not leave pet droppings. Pick them up and dispose of them properly. While BGC and its retail strips are very pet friendly, pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
Do not leave cigarette butts in tree wells. Dispose of them properly in trash bins.

Additionally, BGC has a waste management program in place for all buildings in the area, with special arrangements for PEZA-accredited buildings.

Photo Taking

Unlike other CBDs, photo taking is encouraged in BGC. In fact, various signs can be found around the area indicating the district’s “photo-friendliness.” However, only photos for personal use are allowed. Restrictions apply for other uses, as follows:

Photo and video-taking for commercial use, including pre-nups, magazine shoots, advertisements, etc., need a special permit from the FBDC (Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation).
Buildings, such as banks, embassies and schools, as well as construction sites, may not be photographed unless with special permission from the building management.

To implement the rule covering commercial photos, equipment needed for a major photoshoot setup, such as standalone strobes and lights, are prohibited without permission. The following cameras and equipment may be used freely:

Point and shoot cameras
DSLR’s
Camera flash
Tripods

Bicycles

Cycling is encouraged in BGC, but cyclists must observe the following rules:

Parked bikes must be secured with chains. Otherwise, parking will not be allowed.
Bikes may be parked only in designated areas.
Personal possessions left on bikes are the responsibility of bike owners.
Biking and skateboarding are not allowed in parks like Track 30^thand Terra 28^th, although bikes may be parked in Track 30^th.