Why Bayani Fernando?

Bayani Fernando is seen by many as a no nonsense new breed of politician.

Our country badly needs transformational change. With that in mind, Bayani Fernando as a vice presidential candidate together with running mate Dick Gordon, have dubbed themselves as ‘the Transformers‘.

‘The Transformers’ is not just a label. Bayani Fernando has a lot of achievements tied to his name to prove that he can transform our country to a better one. When he first came into the political scene, he ran for and won, as the mayor of Marikina city back in 1992. He was re-elected twice by the people of Marikina. It is clear why they kept voting him back into office.

In Marikina, people saw a leader that could deliver. At the start of his term, Marikina was a 4th class municipality. But by the end of Bayani Fernando’s term, he made Marikina a model city. He led with great political will, with focus & determination and never waivered on his principles. He was able to help more than 30 thousand families who were squatters and at the same time get rid of the squatters problem in Marikina’s public places & near the edges of waters.

He implemented programs and reforms so that relocation was not the end goal, but providing means so that families could be self sustaining was the ultimate goal. He has indeed succeeded in being able to turn around Marikina during his terms in office as mayor.

I can clearly remember when I first visited Marikina and my friend was telling me how different it was in Marikina. He said it’s like entering another dimension, you won’t even believe it’s part of Metro Manila. He was very confident in saying that there is almost zero crime rate in Marikina, very clean & disciplined city, how the place was transformed by a Bayani administration. And I believed him because I noticed the same thing when we went to Marikina.

And you’d think that this would be enough, but results are what matter, and is clearly seen in the rise in revenue collection during Fernando’s term. Rising from Php77 Million to Php1 Billion. If there’s anything you take away from Fernando’s terms in office as Mayor, it is this astounding number. Just imagine what he would be able to do with the whole of the Philippines.

His father was also mayor of Marikina back when he was just child, but his love of math, numbers, and building things is what made him pursue mechanical engineering. He would later use this experience as a mechanical engineer in his own construction company, and later on, in heading the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

In 2002, Fernando would again utilize his skills for reforms, coupled with his leadership and management style, not to mention his unwaivering political will, and he would take up the call of being Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman. It would be this position that would greatly increase his profile, but more importantly, it was this position that proved just how important a key leader in a key position could be when it came to making a positive change in the lives of Filipinos. Being a mechanical engineer has helped Fernando greatly as he has put a structured approach in his management of the MMDA. He has begun the streamlining of the infrastructure of Metro Manila.

The experience that he has garnered as chairman of the MMDA can be translated on a greater national level. Programs that the nation so desperately needs. With the MMDA, Fernando has been able to implement and utilize traffic programs, urban transportation programs, traffic engineering, and the Urban Transport Integration Project. All of which focus on the transportation sector. But by far, a key focus that should also be highlighted, and probably not even downplayed as MMDA chairman is his leadership in bringing programs that deals with flood control and drainage management. Again, Fernando’s ability to get to the actual problems, and dealing with them squarely is yet another sign of his management style.

Bayani is a man of few words. I bet he’s not the best debater or speaker out there but his actions are undeniable. I noticed this first-hand when I interviewed him a few months back. As I already know his achievements, I decided to ask him very light questions.

Read the rest of the article at Blogwatch.ph.

References:
Video – http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F09121C347E76CE2
Pictures – http://www.flickr.com/photos/rochellesychua/sets/72157623132171783/