‘Visionary leader, dedicated servant’: House solons honor Bayani Fernando

MANILA, Philippines — Former Marikina Mayor Bayani Fernando was a dedicated public servant and a leader with a vision, said Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as he and other lawmakers paid tribute to Fernando who died on Friday.

In a statement, Romualdez said that Fernando left an indelible mark not only in Marikina but also in the country as he transformed the city into a model for discipline and progress.

“It is with a heavy heart that we offer our condolences on the passing of former Marikina City Mayor and Representative Bayani Fernando, a dedicated public servant who left an indelible mark on the city of Marikina and our nation,” Romualdez said Friday.

“His legacy of visionary leadership and dedication to the betterment of our communities will forever be remembered.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in eternal peace,” he added.

Romualdez noted Fernando’s influence from when he also used to be a member of the House, representing Marikina’s first legislative district from 2016 to 2022.

“His service as the representative for 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.

“His leadership extended beyond Marikina, as he also served as the Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from 2002 to 2009, where he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for countless Filipinos in the capital region,” he added.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante also recalled times he was with Fernando, calling him a friend even before the former Marikina mayor got into Congress.

Fernando was one of the deputy minority leaders when Abante was the Minority Leader during the 18th Congress.

“Bayani was my friend long before we became colleagues in the House of Representatives, where he served as one of the Deputy Minority Leaders during my time as Minority Leader in the 18th Congress. As a member of the Minority he was supportive, tireless, and outspoken — the very qualities that endeared him to his constituents in Marikina,” Abante said.

“My deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. My family and I will continue to pray for comfort and strength to his wife, Marides, and the rest of the family,” he added.

Several other lawmakers like BH party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera, Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos, and Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga also expressed their grief over Fernando’s death.

“Bayani cast a new mold of public service, especially in local government and public works, for other and future public servants to emulate. Among my batch of public servants from local government, he was, and still is, among our heroes,” Herrera said.

“We, in the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), lost a sterling member and public service exemplar with the untimely passing of Mayor and Congressman Bayani Fernando.  Bayani is a good man, energetic, and whose heart and mind were focused on his constituents, especially the residents and business community of Marikina City,” Enverga, who is also spokesperson of the NPC, added.

Earlier, the Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) confirmed that Fernando had died, with the city government sending its condolences to the Fernando family.

He was 77.

“Nakikidalamhati ang Marikina City Government sa pagpanaw ni former Mayor Bayani F. Fernando.  Si Mayor BF ay naging Punong Lungsod ng Marikina noong 1992 hanggang 2001,” Marikina PIO said.

“Taos pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay ni Mayor BF,” it added.

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo also expressed her condolences to Fernando’s bereaved family and the whole city of Marikina, saying that the late former local chief executive was the father of Marikina’s modern age.

“Taos-pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya Fernardo at buong bayan ng Marikina. Mananatili ang iyong legasiya sa Marikina nating mahal. Salamat BF, ang ama ng Modernong Marikina, sa iyong paglilingkod,” Quimbo said.

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READ: Former Marikina Mayor Bayani Fernando, icon of discipline, dead at 77