Pumanaw na ang dating alkalde at kongresista ng Marikina City at chairman ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) na si Bayani Fernando ngayong Biyernes, September 22, 2023.
Siya ay 77 taong gulang.
Binawian ng buhay si Fernando sa Quirino Memorial Medical Center sa Quezon City kaninang lagpas ng tanghali.
Ayon sa ulat ng DZBB, ang misis ni Fernando na si former Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando ang nagkumpirma sa kanilang reporter na si Glen Juego na binawian na ng buhay ang dating MMDA chairman sa ospital.
Unang naiulat na nahulog umano si Fernando mula sa bubungan ng kanyang bahay kaya agad siyang isinugod sa ospital.
Nagpaabot naman kaagad ng mensahe ng pakikiramay ang kasalukuyang namumuno sa MMDA kaugnay ng biglaang pagyao ni Fernando.
Nagsilbing chairman ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority si Fernando mula 2002 hanggang 2009.
Narito ang buong mensahe ng MMDA:
"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.
"A mechanical engineer by profession, Chairman Fernando used 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. He was the person behind rapid bus lanes and the 'Metro Gwapo' campaign transforming the region into a livable metropolis.
"Thank you very much for your contributions. Rest now, Sir, for you already got the job done.”
Bukod sa pagiging MMDA chairman, nagsilbi ring mayor ng Marikina City si Fernando mula 1992 hanggang 2001.
Naging kinatawan din siya ng First District ng Marikina mula 2016 hanggang 2022.
Sandali rin siyang nagsilbi bilang secretary ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) mula January 15, 2003 hanggang April 15, 2003 sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.