MANILA, Philippines — Kinumpirma ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ang pagpanaw ng dati nitong chairperson na si Bayani Fernando — bagay na nagsilbi rin bilang dating mayor ng Lungsod ng Marikina.
"The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is deeply saddened and shocked about the sudden demise of former Chairman Bayani F. Fernando who served the Authority from June 5, 2002 until November 25, 2009," sabi ng MMDA, Biyernes.
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"A mechanical engineer by profession, Chairman Fernando used scientific and practical approaches in his quest to solve the problems of Metro Manila."
Wala pa namang isinasapublikong dahilan sa likod ng kanyang pagkamatay sa ngayon.
Ipinanganak sa San Juan noong ika-25 ng Hulyo, 1946, pumanaw si Fernando sa edad na 77-taong-gulang.
Inilarawan ng ahensya bilang "workaholic" at "disiplinarian" si Fernando lalo na sa hanay ng MMDA.
Nakilala rin noon si Fernando noon dahil sa panunungkulan bilang alkalde at mambabatas ng Marikina, bagay na tanyag para sa pagiging malinis.
"Under his helm, he put the MMDA in the spotlight. He was the person behind rapid bus lanes and the 'Metro Gwapo' campaign transforming the region into a livable metropolis," dagdag pa ng ahensya.
"Thank you very much for your contributions. Rest now, Sir, for you already got the job done."
Matatandaang tumakbo si Fernando, kilala rin sa palayaw na "BF," sa bilang bise presidente ni Richard "Dick" Gordon noong 2010 national elections ngunit natalo ni noo'y Makati mayor Jejomar Binay. — James Relativo