Ex-MMDA chief Fernando dies

(UPDATE) FORMER Marikina City mayor and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando died after falling from the roof of his house on Friday. He was 77.

His wife, former Marikina City mayor Ma. Lourdes «Marides» Fernando, confirmed the passing of the former government official on Super Radyo DZBB.

Earlier reports indicated that the former lawmaker died at the Quirino Memorial Hospital after he was rushed by members of the Rescue 161 Marikina. Many of his supporters were seen gathering at the hospital.

The Marikina City government sent condolences to his family, in a Facebook post from their public information office.

Among those who mourned his passing is Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo.

«We are in mourning with the Fernando family and the city of Marikina,» she wrote in Filipino.

«Your legacy in Marikina will remain forever,» Quimbo added. «Thank you, BF, the Father of Modern Marikina, for your service.» Also, the Local Government Marikina City led by incumbent Mayor Marcy Teodoro expressed condolences to the Fernando family.

«Taus-pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay ni Mayor BF,» a statement from the Marikina Public Information Office stated. Also, the MMDA said it was «deeply saddened and shocked» by the death of its former chairman.

«Under his helm, he put the MMDA in the spotlight. He was the person behind rapid bus lanes and the 'Metro Gwapo' campaign transforming the region into a livable metropolis,» the MMDA said.

«A man of few words, Fernando is known to be a workaholic and a disciplinarian among MMDA employees,» it said. Moreover, the MMDA said Fernando, a mechanical engineer by profession, «used scientific and practical approaches in his quest to solve the