Bayani Fernando: Effective bully vs. chaos in Metro Manila

Marikina City became the cleanest and most orderly city in Metro Manila in the three terms of then Mayor Bayani Fernando from 1992 to 2001. His “Ayusin natin ang Komunidad” (Fix our community) fostered discipline and morality on his constituents particularly in local security and sanitation. His biggest achievement was Save the Marikina River project, redeveloping its banks into flood containment spillways, and landfill turning into now redeveloped and successful Marikina River Park. In a sheer display of political will, he relocated 10,000 squatters in that area and instantly boosted Marikina at the forefront of urban development.

Appointed as MMDA chairman in 2002, he accepted the challenge of confronting a decaying and chaotic Metro Manila. At the time, street vendors were lording the sidewalks which became hotbed of pickpockets, criminals, and drug dealers. Public health was also endangered because of unsafe food. Pedestrian are forced to walk on the roads in turn narrowing traffic lanes and causing jams.

His “urbanidad” (urbanity) program would transform the metropolis into a “sophisticated urban space through strict “discipline” and “enforcement of the law”. His first declaration, return sidewalks to the public and ordered the removal of all illegal vendors, stalls, and other obstructions. His Sidewalk Clearing Operation was covered by Resolution-02-28 which authorizes MMDA and LGUs to clear sidewalks streets, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks, and other public places of all illegal structure’s obstructions.

Who could forget his Metro Gwapo campaign and his “Pink” projects such as urinals and overpasses? Some signs are still up today “Bawal Tumawid dito, Nakamamatay” (No crossing or you may die), “Ang Lugar na ito ay Laging May Basura, pangit!” (Trash thrown here always, It’s ugly). Remember the “blue line” in sidewalks, where storeowners or residential houses are told to remove their encroaching “extensions”? Who would forget his U-turns solutions along Edsa and that big one in C-5 and Kalayaan Avenue?

BF’s accomplishments were so effective that renowned journalists at the time praised him. “He is God-sent, brave and courageous in his stand for the good of his follow men”. “A gust of fresh air and wholesome air”. “The campaign by Chair Fernando to rid street anarchists deserves the all-out support of right citizens”. “If we want a better quality of life, we have to cooperate with Fernando”. “It is a crusade against all forms of illegalities that people are so used to doing that they think it is alright”. “People, especially Metro Manilans are sick and tired of the way rules are for the most past ignored, and the anarchy that it causes. A heartening sign that people have not bought the anti-poor charges against Fernando and stir anger against him. This indicates that more and more poverty is no longer accepted as an excuse for breaking the law. which means that we might be beginning to have a discerning, rational public’.

In his eight years in MMDA, he initiated the forced evictions of squatters especially those living within ten meters of rivers and creeks whose trash contribute to flooded waterways aside from being in constant danger during typhoons. Also removed were the squatters along railroad tracks in Makati and Manila. Fernando dismissed the idea of relocating squatters saying It’s like you are rewarded for squatting”. Today, it is estimated that some 20 to 40 percent of relocated families return to their former sentiments as renters.

BF won praise for his novel political style of taking strong measures to enforce the law and unyielding to social pressure. Other politicians courted these squatters in exchange of votes by building roads in their illegal settlements, installing streetlights, water connections, and sports facilities. Remember his heated bouts with then Paranaque mayor Joey Marquez over the Baclaran street vendors and then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza on Divisoria and Quiapo street vendors.

Here are some important BF quotes that evokes his inner thoughts.

“It is wrong for my critics to call me a bully. “If being a bully would be a means to be effective, I’ll remain a bully. To me, it is a crime to compromise the interest of the people. “That’s what’s wrong with this country. You should be called an angel when you implement the law”, “but here, when you implement the law, you are considered bad”. It gives me a heavy heart to do things that offend some people., But being a public official, I cannot cry with them. Because if I cry, my eyes will be blind, and who else will guide them”.

After the pandemic, BF was a regular attendee of our Tuesday Group breakfast meetings at the Heat, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong and Café Mabini, in San Juan City. He was always jovial and contributes his commonsensical but intelligent solutions to urban problems. “All Light rail transits should be three stories high, in a side-comment on today’s construction of MRT-7”. Because of the low construction of LRT1, businesses along Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, and Taft Ave., in and Manila were forced to close shop the streets became dark and unwelcome especially in the evening.

He was one of the contractors building Area A of the Common station linking LRT-1, MRT-3 MRT-7 and Metro Manila Subway. And I always ask him for an update which he always answers, “ang tagal magbayad ng gobyerno” (the government is always delayed in payments). He quipped,” BUILD, BUILD BUILD was good, but SLOW”.

During our Tuesday meetings, he never forgets to sit or pass by our table and join us in heated discussions. One time, he gave me a bunch of his memorable “suspenders” to add to my collection I always wear during our meetings. In his early days as MMDA chairman, he consulted me on how to handle the press. I suggested he should conduct a weekly conference preferably at 10 am Mondays or Tuesdays, to put his agency on the regular beat of print and broadcast media considering his EDSA, Makati HQ, was too far from Manila and Quezon city. My advice, every announcement in the press conference must excite media and generate “impact” among the citizenries. The rest was history. Since that time, he treated me like a younger brother, asking me about my hobbies and ongoing projects. Rest in Peace now, Chair BF. Thank you for everything.