FEBRUARY 9, 2026 — Bonifacio Global City is about to witness another shake-up. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is preparing to open the bidding for the redevelopment of the 10-hectare Market! Market! site in Taguig, and this isn’t just about a mall facelift — it’s about who gets to control one of Metro Manila’s most strategic pieces of land.

BCDA President Joshua Bingcang revealed that the project will be a transit-oriented development (TOD), anchored on the future Metro Manila Subway station and complemented by jeepneys and buses. 

“What I see now is at least two or three developers, so there will be competition,” Bingcang said, hinting at a consortium battle. 

This means this is no ordinary contract — it’s a brewing bidding war.

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the longtime operator of Market! Market!, has already expressed interest in staying on board. But with a Japanese construction giant and other major developers signaling their intent, the question is: Will Ayala’s legacy in BGC be enough to secure its hold, or will a new player rewrite the story?

The TOD model, popularized in Japan, is about integrating transport hubs with mixed-use developments — residential, commercial, and lifestyle spaces all in one. On paper, it sounds like a win for commuters and city planners. But BGC has long been criticized as a playground for the wealthy. Can this redevelopment truly make the district more “people-centric,” as BCDA claims?

For loyal Market! Market! shoppers, the big worry is whether the mall will vanish. Bingcang assured, “no disruption of business,” explaining that demolition, if it happens, would only come in the third phase of the project. Still, who wouldn’t feel uneasy hearing the word “redevelopment”? Small businesses, vendors, and everyday shoppers all have stakes here.

The timing is crucial. ALI’s lease expires in 2027, and renewal must be finalized a year before. If BCDA decides to hand the project to another developer, the dynamics of BGC could shift dramatically. Will competition bring innovation, unwelcome change, or chaos?

BCDA has also tapped SGV & Co. to update BGC’s masterplan, with goals like reducing car use and expanding public transit. 

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about urban planning. It’s about power, profit, and the everyday lives of Filipinos who rely on Market! Market! not just as a mall, but as a community hub. The redevelopment could redefine BGC’s identity — or reinforce the divide between the elite and the masses.

Are we ready to embrace this radical change, or are we content to cling to the comfort of the old Market! Market!?

(Image: Ayala Land Premier)