Former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando passes away at 77
Bayani Fernando, former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has died at the age of 77 after reportedly suffering from a tragic accident.
MMDA confirmed that Fernando passed away on Sept. 22 on its social media pages.
"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," it wrote.
The government agency described the seasoned mechanical engineer as someone who uses "scientific and practical approaches in his quest to solve the problems of Metro Manila."
"A man of few words, Fernando is known to be a workaholic and a disciplinarian among MMDA employees. Under his helm, he put the MMDA in the spotlight," MMDA wrote.
"Thank you very much for your contributions. Rest now, Sir, for you already got the job done," they added.
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.
— Official MMDA (@MMDA) September 22, 2023
A mechanical engineer by profession, Chairman Fernando used scientific… pic.twitter.com/nLN8px2ZOq
Fernando's wife, Marides, meanwhile confirmed to DZBB Super Radyo that her husband has indeed passed away after being rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
While family members were not able to disclose the full details of his demise, reports say that Fernando died after he had fallen from the roof of his house.
Prior to being appointed as MMDA chairman by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Fernando served as mayor of Marikina from 1992 to 2001. He was re-elected mayor twice before he was eventually succeeded by his wife. He also served as the representative for Marikina's 1st congressional district from 2016 to 2022.