BF, Mr. Metro Gwapo, passes away

Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando died Friday after falling from the roof of their house, his wife, former Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, has confirmed. He was 77.

Fernando was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival at 12:36 p.m.

He was reportedly doing repairs on the roof of their house in Barangay Industrial Valley in Marikina when the accident happened.

Popularly known as "BF," Fernando served as representative of the first district of Marikina City in the 18th Congress from 2016 to 2022.

He was mayor of Marikina from 1992 to 2001 and secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways for three months before he ran for vice president in 2010 but lost.

The local government of Marikina, led by Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro, expressed grief over the death of Fernando.

"Our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Mayor BF," the Marikina mayor's office said in a statement.

The MMDA said it was deeply saddened by the untimely death of Fernando. Fernando served the MMDA from 2002 until 2009. He was known for his use of pink paint to decorate the metropolis.

A mechanical engineer by profession, Fernando used scientific and practical approaches in his quest to solve the problems of Metro Manila.

"A man of few words, Fernando was known to be a workaholic and a disciplinarian among MMDA employees," the agency said in a statement.

Spotlight

Fernando put the MMDA in the spotlight with his rapid bus lanes and "Metro Gwapo" campaigns that aimed to transform the region into a livable metropolis.

He also cleared the sidewalks of the metro of illegal vendors during his term as MMDA chair.

"Thank you very much for your contributions. Rest now, sir, for you already got the job done," the MMDA said.

Meanwhile, lawmakers mourned the passing of their former colleague.

Speaker Martin Romualdez referred to Fernando as a "dedicated public servant" who left an indelible mark on Marikina and the nation.

"His service as the representative of Marikina's first congressional district from 2016 to 2022, as well as his tenure as mayor of Marikina from 1992 to 2001, where he transformed the city into a model for others to follow, exemplified his commitment to progress and development," Romualdez said.

He added: "His legacy of visionary leadership and dedication to the betterment of our communities will forever be remembered."

Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, the House committee chairperson on agriculture and food, said the Nationalist People's Coalition lost a sterling member and public service exemplar with Fernando's untimely passing.

"Bayani's brand of public service is one of our benchmarks. He set high standards for all of us in NPC and public service," he said.

Like Enverga, Bayani was a stalwart of the NPC.

Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera also grieved the sudden passing of "ever the workaholic" and "boundless energy" Fernando, whom she said was her batchmate and friend in the 17th and 18th Congress.