Whenever “traffic” is discussed, many recall a no-nonsense man, Arroyo appointee, who made Marikina City the cleanest in the Philippines. A mechanical engineer by profession, Bayani Fernando served as Marikina City mayor for nine years, where he instilled discipline by prohibiting city residents from placing garbage bins outside their homes as they were keep them inside until the garbage truck arrived.
Along with the policy, he also enacted an efficient garbage collection system, where collection was done on time, along all streets. If a garbage truck was out of service, he would send around an audio truck, or recurida, to inform residents of delays in collection.
In terms of the roads, all private and public motorists obeyed the rules.
Fernando was a road disciplinarian and managed to win despite being strict. He told fellow mayors, “Do now be afraid to enforce laws, you will not lose votes; rather, you will earn more because you are putting order on the road.”
Other mayors saw he was right, as the likes of Rodrigo Duterte, Tomas Osmeña, Ed Hagedorn, and Richard Gordon implemented order over their respective jurisdictions during their terms as mayor.
16 years ago, Iloilo City jeepney drivers were undisciplined, but, with their traffic management office operating without the intervention of politicians, they managed to bring order to the roads.
The lessons learned from Fernando came about when he served as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman.
It is a blessing for me to be a good friend of Fernando, who shared his brilliance on how to undertake road management.
After serving as mayor, he brought me to Marikina City to help in other ventures, as I served as a technical consultant to the incumbent mayor.
Today, Marikina City remains an orderly community with disciplined drivers and residents obeying the laws of the land. One does not see residents drinking along the side of the road or grilling barbecue in the streets. Discipline comes from the leadership and Bayani Fernando, incumbent Marikina City first district congressman, can place that legacy in his heart.
There will be more about him in future columns because he is a model public servant.
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This column greets Tala Fernando-Ang, Marides Fernando, Archie Gupalor, Nathaniel Pugales, Alvin Rongo, Rennel Napial, Larry Lizares, Vic Facultad, Ping Jimenea, Joanne Yoshida, Evelyn Ong, and Novo Torres./WDJ