Marikina City emerged as the cleanest and most orderly city in Metro Manila under the leadership of then Mayor Bayani Fernando from 1992 to 2001. His visionary initiative called “Ayusin natin ang Komunidad” (Fix our Community) focused on fostering discipline and morality among the locals, particularly in the areas of local security and sanitation. One of his major achievements was the groundbreaking Save the Marikina River project, which involved the redevelopment of the river banks into flood containment spillways and the transformation of the landfill into the now successful Marikina River Park. In a bold display of political will, Mayor Fernando relocated 10,000 squatters from the area, instantly propelling Marikina to the forefront of urban development.
Appointed as the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in 2002, Mayor Fernando embraced the challenge of confronting the decaying and chaotic state of Metro Manila. During that time, the sidewalks were dominated by street vendors, creating hotbeds for pickpockets, criminals, and drug dealers. Public health was also compromised due to unsafe food. Pedestrians were forced to walk on the roads, leading to traffic congestion. In response, Mayor Fernando launched his “urbanidad” (urbanity) program, aimed at transforming the metropolis into a sophisticated urban space through strict discipline and law enforcement.
One of his first actions was to reclaim the sidewalks and remove all illegal vendors, stalls, and obstructions. This resulted in the implementation of the Sidewalk Clearing Operation, covered by Resolution-02-28, which authorized the MMDA and local government units (LGUs) to clear sidewalks, streets, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks, and other public places of all illegal structures and obstructions. The memory of the “blue lines” on the sidewalks, indicating the need for storeowners and residential houses to remove their encroaching extensions, still lingers. Not to forget his famous “No crossing or you may die” and “Trash thrown here always, It’s ugly” signs that were put up in various areas.
Mayor Fernando’s accomplishments received high praise from renowned journalists at the time. They described him as “God-sent, brave, and courageous in his stand for the good of his fellowmen” and recognized his campaign against street anarchists as deserving “all-out support from right-minded citizens.” The public, tired of the lawlessness and anarchy caused by the disregard for rules, rallied behind Mayor Fernando’s crusade. They saw it as a sign of growing discernment and rationality among the people, where poverty was no longer an acceptable excuse for breaking the law.
During his eight years at the MMDA, Mayor Fernando initiated forced evictions of squatters, particularly those residing within ten meters of rivers and creeks, whose trash greatly contributed to flooding during typhoons. Squatters along railroad tracks in Makati and Manila were also removed. He firmly dismissed the idea of relocating squatters, believing it would only reward illegal squatting. However, it is estimated that 20 to 40 percent of the relocated families eventually returned to their former dwellings as renters.
Mayor Fernando won accolades for his innovative political style, which involved taking strong measures to enforce the law and remaining unaffected by social pressure. Unlike other politicians who courted squatters for votes by providing basic amenities in their illegal settlements, Mayor Fernando remained resolute in his mission to uphold the law and eradicate anarchic practices. His clashes with then Paranaque mayor Joey Marquez over the Baclaran street vendors and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza on Divisoria and Quiapo street vendors became legendary.
Here are some notable quotes from Mayor Fernando that offer insight into his mindset:
“It is wrong for my critics to call me a bully. If being a bully is what it takes to be effective, then I will remain one. For me, compromising the interest of the people is a crime.”
“That’s what’s wrong with this country. You should be hailed as an angel when you implement the law, but here, implementing the law is seen as something bad.”
“It saddens me to do things that offend some people, but as a public official, I cannot weep with them. If I do, my vision will be clouded, and who else will guide them?”
After the pandemic, Mayor Fernando would regularly attend our Tuesday Group breakfast meetings at the Heat, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong and Café Mabini in San Juan City. His presence was always jovial, and he would contribute common-sense yet intelligent solutions to urban problems. His insights regarding the construction of the LRT Line 1, where he suggested that all light rail transits should be three stories high, still resonate. He would often quip, “Ang tagal magbayad ng gobyerno” (The government always delays payments), referring to the delays in government projects.
During our Tuesday meetings, Mayor Fernando never forgot to sit or pass by our table and join us in heated discussions. On one occasion, he even gave me a bunch of his memorable suspenders to add to my collection, which I proudly wear during our meetings. In his early days as MMDA chairman, he sought my advice on handling the press. I recommended that he hold a weekly press conference, preferably at 10 am on Mondays or Tuesdays, to keep his agency in the regular beat of print and broadcast media. My advice was that every announcement during the press conference should excite the media and create impact among the citizenry. The rest, as they say, is history.
Chair BF, rest in peace now. Thank you for everything.
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