Senate reso honors ‘distinguished’ public servant Bayani Fernando

A resolution honoring late former Marikina City Mayor Bayani Fernando has been filed in the Senate.

Senator Lito Lapid filed proposed Senate Resolution 809 which also extends the profound condolences of the chamber on the demise of Fernando whom he called a “dedicated public servant and a stalwart advocate of national development.”

“Honorable Bayani Fernando…dedicated his life to serving his fellow Filipinos with utmost dedication and unwavering commitment to the betterment of our nation,” SR 809 read.

“The late Honorable Bayani Fernando’s exceptional career achievements and contributions to national renewal serve as an enduring legacy, inspiring current and future generations of public servants to emulate his dedication, foresight, and unwavering commitment to the Filipino people,” Lapid wrote.

The senator cited Fernando’s stint as mayor of Marikina during which the city became a “model of effective governance, urban planning, and disaster resilience.”

“During his tenure as mayor, Honorable Bayani Fernando spearheaded numerous infrastructure projects that transformed Marikina City into a premier metropolis, earning it the moniker ‘Shoe Capital of the Philippines’ and an exemplary model for local government units nationwide,” Lapid said.

The senator also hailed Fernando for exhibiting “visionary urban planning that eased traffic congestion, improved waste management, and enhanced disaster preparedness in the [N]ational [C]apital [R]egion” during his time as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from 2002 to 2009.

“His leadership and innovation led to the development of iconic projects like the MMDA Yellow Lane policy and the establishment of the MMDA Metrobase, which significantly contributed to the improvement of public transportation systems and traffic management in Metro Manila,” the resolution read.

Fernando was also remembered for championing various bills promoting good governance, public welfare, and economic progress during his time as representative of Marikina City first district in the 17th Congress.

Fernando passed away last September 22. He was 77 years old.

According to a dzBB report, Fernando died at the Quirino Memorial Hospital where he was rushed by Rescue 161 Marikina personnel and where some of his supporters have gathered.

Fernando was reportedly brought to the hospital after falling from the roof of their house.—AOL, GMA Integrated News