BF On Character Building
I want to be remembered not as a builder of roads, schoolrooms and other infrastructure facilities. I want to be remembered as a builder of character.
BF on Leaderhip
Mr. Governance’ Quotable Quotes
As leaders, we are expected not only to carry on, but to do better and make it faster because the sands of times are running out in many of our fellow citizens.I believe that progress must come faster, otherwise, more people will go to bed with empty stomachs. Progress must come sooner, otherwise, more children will miss their milk bottle, their school and the joys of childhood. Progress must come faster, otherwise, more people will get sick, lose their jobs nad give up homes.
Saving The Marikina River,
An Inspiring Story Of A City
Winner, 1995 Galing Pook Award for Innovation and Excellence in Local Governance and Hall of Fame, Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the NCR.
In 1993, the city formally launched the program, Save the Marikina River, with the aim in view of rehabilitating and saving the river valley from extinction. It was anchored on the principle:
The people have to touch and smell the water. It is hoped that this experience and exposure will galvanize them to muster enough political pressure for the government and the rest to act and conserve the water. Mayor BF
The project was far from being ambitious in features. The city did not think of dredging or diking which it could not afford anyway. With only 40M spread over seven (7) years, including maintenance and with hardly no external assistance, the city was able to bring the river back to life and transform it into a sports and recreational park (probably the biggest in the country today in a natural setting).
A few years back, the river was filth and stench, a repository of all types of foul smelling and unsightly wastes. Only few dared to venture close to it and none wanted to a get a sniff of stinking waters pitched black with pollution spewed by factories and industries and domestic wastes wantonly thrown by the squatters lining the banks.
The deterioration of the river was brought by the uncontrolled encroachment and indiscrimate disposal of both domestic and industrial wastes and garbage in the easement of the river. It also suffered land degradation brought by the continuous quarrying on its beds and along the banks that resulted to scouring and erosion.
Resurrecting a dying river was only made possible through the bulldog tenacity of Mayor Bayani Fernando. Private assistance came in only when the river park was undergoing development. In the past, attempts have failed in removing thrash from the river and in flushing-out the squatters along the riverbanks. Many thought it would take a miracle to restore the lost grandeur of the Marikina River. It took a strong political will to finally carry out successfully the river rehabilitation that eventually gained the respect and admiration of the people. They have now taken themselves to task in preserving the gains of the project.
BF on Political Will.
Mr. Governance’ Quotable Quotes
“Political Will is Not Political Suicide.”
Bayani Fernando
Former Marikina Mayor
Present Chairman of Metro Manila Development Authority
Among my favorite quotes of BF was this one on Political Will for Government Officials. It is a known fact that people in government fear pursuing programs that may provoke or offend people for fear of not being voted the next election thereby not resolving the more controversial and important issues of the community and its people.
Read more
BF on Governance.
Mr. Governance’ Quotable Quotes
“Our main concern is to see the people of Marikina with an uplifted spirit proud in self-dignity and honor, full of self-respect, observant, concerned with the government and his fellowmen and that each man shall be a symbol of hope, aware of his social responsibilities, humble in his victory and magnanimous in his success.”
Bayani Fernando
Former Marikina Mayor
Present Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman
Saving The Marikina River, A Success Story
Winner, 1995 Galing Pook Award for Innovation and Excellence in Local Governance and Hall of Fame, Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the NCR.
In 1993, the city formally launched the program, Save the Marikina River, with the aim in view of rehabilitating and saving the river valley from extinction. It was anchored on the principle:
The people have to touch and smell the water. It is hoped that this experience and exposure will galvanize them to muster enough political pressure for the government and the rest to act and conserve the water. Mayor BF
The project was far from being ambitious in features. The city did not think of dredging or diking which it could not afford anyway. With only 40M spread over seven (7) years, including maintenance and with hardly no external assistance, the city was able to bring the river back to life and transform it into a sports and recreational park (probably the biggest in the country today in a natural setting).
A few years back, the river was filth and stench, a repository of all types of foul smelling and unsightly wastes. Only few dared to venture close to it and none wanted to a get a sniff of stinking waters pitched black with pollution spewed by factories and industries and domestic wastes wantonly thrown by the squatters lining the banks.
The deterioration of the river was brought by the uncontrolled encroachment and indiscriminate disposal of both domestic and industrial wastes and garbage in the easement of the river. It also suffered land degradation brought by the continuous quarrying on its beds and along the banks that resulted to scouring and erosion.
Resurrecting a dying river was only made possible through the bulldog tenacity of Mayor Bayani Fernando. Private assistance came in only when the river park was undergoing development. In the past, attempts have failed in removing thrash from the river and in flushing-out the squatters along the riverbanks. Many thought it would take a miracle to restore the lost grandeur of the Marikina River. It took a strong political will to finally carry out successfully the river rehabilitation that eventually gained the respect and admiration of the people. They have now taken themselves to task in preserving the gains of the project.
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Digi-Ana: Liked your page. Very informative.
Luisa Beltran: You have a nice blog site...im learning a lot about marikina from you. Thanks for putting this up.
Oline:Hi! Love your site :) Loaded with info keep it up! :)
James: Love learning about you and your city
Tintin Rios: Nice article mhel! As always, I am indeed enjoying all the stuff that you are doing. Very honest and very inspiring. Keep it up! :)
Big Brother: Very helpful and enlightening person, always there to lend a hand whenever you’re in need… Keep it up !!! GOD Bless!!!
Zaldy: Very interesting and informative. Lovely as the author.
Kengkay: Ipagpatuloy ang pag blog tungkol sa kagandahan ng pinas… gusto ko ang mga ganitong blogs. nakakataba ng puso :)
Apple Lucero: It's wonderful, and knowledgeable. I love the beauty of marikina, continue blogging, great!
Ed Ebreo: You have a very interesting blog and an even more interesting work. Keep up the great work!
Rino: Thanks for this information. I would never have known about this. Good job and please continue to provide us with more of these…
Eclud: You surprised me mhel!!! This is great.. keep up the good work… (saka parang paganda ka ng paganda..) *From the author: "Aint this the best comment of 'em all?" :D
AnitoKid: Wow! Danda na ng Marikina! It has been a while since I last visited it! I studied at Marist School (Gr 1-6, HS 1-4). Loved your site kabayan! And I kid you not!
MyGlitch: Hi, Mhel. I salute you for promoting Marikina, the only blogger I know who truly loves her municipality.
Alvin Aljecera: Marikina is the Best in TOWN!!!
Lad Madrigal: Nakakatuwa, napaka informative at talagang helpful ang blog mo. Rating: 11 out of 10 haha.
Edelweiza: Hi der! I admire BF, too. I always see him during Cabinet events in the Palace as our office is the one in-charge of them. It’s his strong character and sincere efforts to “urbanize” the metropolis and us city dwellers that keeps me an avid fan. He belongs to a very rare breed of public officials that really walk the talk. I think he deserves all the support he can get from Filipinos. :D
Dennis: I was once a passerby, ngaun mukang magiging regular reader at “avid fan” na din! hahaha!
Ericc: Congrats to this wonderful website! it’s a good advocacy for responsible citizenship and good city governance! all the best to marikina!
Heidelyn A. Camaligan: We are so lucky living here at Marikina, werein lots of educational training are offered.
Islander: Wow! grabe na talaga ang marikina. beyond the legend na kayo. pano pa kami makakahabol nyan? hehe. Alamat!
Reign: I used to pass by Marikina since i’m just 40 minutes drive away from Antipolo but I never thought of these great facts about your lovely place. You’re a sure proud marikeña.
Lotus Flower: Happy Marikina Day to you. Aren’t you glad to be part of this quaint but definitely bustling and progressive city? I am :-)
Meeh: Maituturing na ang marikina ay nakilala sa paggawa ng mga dekalidad na sapatos na nagdala sa ating lugar upang makilala sa ibang panig ng pilipinas at sa ibang bansa…at ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang marikenya…mabuhay!
Tapsiboy: Marikina is my happy and comfort place.
Spinning Lovely Days: I’m so glad there are so many interesting places to check out in our city now. with gas getting so expensive, i’m all for limiting our explorations within marikina. :D as always, thanks for all the wonderful tips.:)
Mera: Ang ganda naman ng lahat ng nakapost dito sa site mong marikenya Ms.Mhel…more of it were very inspirational.interesting and educational…just keep it and godbless u!
Abby: Hi. I'm glad i chanced upon this really interesting blog. i'm from marikina too. we’ve been living here for more than a year now. i'm super excited about your list. you see, hubby and i frequent eating spot in town. we are, still in search for the perfect crispy pata. a lot of my friends say you can find it here.
CallCenterGal: Thanks for the additional tips on improving one’s blog in simple, doable ways.
Sagada Philippines: I like your niche. More power to your blog! =)