Bayani Fernando
Born July 25, 1946
Born July 25, 1946
Secretary of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). He concurrently holds the position of director of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the National Capital Region.
He was born in San Juan, Metro Manila. He ran for public office in 1992, becoming mayor of Marikina City. His administration as mayor is credited with several cleanliness and beautification projects, and his term saw the transformation of Marikina from a 4th class municipality to a model Philippine city. He was re-elected mayor twice, and served as mayor until 2001. In 2002, he was appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
His wife, Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando, is the current mayor of Marikina City.
On December 17, 2007, Alfredo Lim told MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando not to conduct its sidewalk clearing operations in Manila since vendors were allowed to sell on sidewalks for humanitarian reasons. Lim stated: "I jokingly told Chairman Fernando that they are welcome anytime but I cannot guarantee their safety. Their problem is how they will get out."
Fernando on November 8, 2008, was named the GMA-7’s 2008 “Celebrity Duets” 2nd season grand champion. He sang impressive duets with Pilita Corrales and Basil Valdez.
Gwapotel
On September 6, 2007, Chairman Bayani Fernando said that “Gwapotel Inn” (Overnight stay: P20 a night, P5 a bath) run by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority became a big hit with transients due to safe and decent lodgings. 40,000 transients registered in the 4-story “hotel” on Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila, since its May 14, 2007 opening. The 710-bed inn, painted in “BF’s” signature pink and blue, posted an average occupancy rate of 73%, or 519 guests daily. But the overnighters share common sleeping area with double-deck beds.
2nd Gwapotel
On December 23, 2007, Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced the building of a 2nd Gwapotel: 3-story lodging house at Tondo, Manila, in the abandoned 2,800-sq.m. Emmanuel Hospital at Jose Abad Santos St., to be renovated on January, 2008 (5 months to complete for the May 1 inauguration coinciding with Labor Day holiday). 60,000 transients already stayed in the 4-story first Gwapotel, since its May 14, 2007 opening.
The Plan to Run for Presidency
On January 4, 2008, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Bayani Fernando officially announced (at the Lani Misalucha concert at his office) that he is running for the presidency in 2010. Fernando formally confirmed and launched on August 26, 2008, his candidacy in the Philippine general election, 2010 (to become the next "no-nonsense president of the country").
With or without the support of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, he stated: "Even if the party doesn't pick me, I will continue with the campaign because I have a lot friends who will help me. They're just floating their names. And I'm the only one of the presidential hopefuls who has declared my intention to run this early."
