MMDA to seize hung laundry

Another good story and good work from Bayani Ferando..

METRO Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando said yesterday MMDA agents will confiscate clothes hung outside houses in the metropolis as part of its “Metro Guapo” beautification program.

Fernando said members of the sidewalk clearing operation unit of the agency will seize laundry or whatever other things that are hung to dry on clotheslines, especially in front of houses.

The confiscation of clothes and other eyesores is part of the agency’s Metro Guapo project, which aims to beautify Metro Manila.

“You should stop hanging your lingerie and other clothes outside your houses, particularly in front of your residences. Our people would confiscate if they see them,” Fernando yesterday warned Metro Manilans during his radio program.

He said clothes that are hung in front of homes is not a pretty sight and some residents even hang their clothes in the streets.

“We should be disciplined enough to avoid using the streets and roads as a place for our clothes. These things could obstruct the pedestrians passing these streets,” he said.

Meanwhile, as part of the agency’s Metro Guapo project, the MMDA chief also warned shirtless, or “topless,” men from wandering in the streets.

“Before you go out of your houses, make sure you are dressed appropriately,” he said, noting that topless men are also considered eyesores.

Shirtless men caught by MMDA personnel will be told to return to their homes and put on clothes before they could go back outside.

The banning of shirtless men originated in Marikina City, where Fernando used to serve as mayor years ago.

The ordinance in the Shoe Capital of the Philippines is still in effect and is now being implemented by Fernando’s wife, incumbent Mayor Marides Fernando.

Bayani Fernando

Bayani Fernando is the current chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, or MMDA. Previously, he was the mayor of Marikina City, Philippines. He has done several cleanliness and beautification projects.

SECRETARY BAYANI F. FERNANDO

When Secretary Fernando assumed office as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways in January 15, this year, he announced his policy directions in the Department. These are:

Better Engineering

One of our major policy thrusts in the DPWH is better and proper engineering. This is a practical instrument to cut down costs of infrastructure, while safeguarding its quality and service standards, and to curb graft and corruption. This will be pursued in the following areas:

1.1 Engineering Design

We have directed our technical staff to provide more resources to engineering surveys and investigations and designs. This will reduce the incidence of large variation orders during project implementation.




Especially important is our objective of exploring more cost-effective designs than those presently applied. Our target is to generate at least 30 percent savings in project costs. This involves the use of “value engineering”, adopting innovative or new appropriate technology suited to the specific requirements at hand.

Savings derived from improved engineering will be used to implement more infrastructure which will directly benefit the public.

1.2 Quantification

With more thorough engineering surveys and designs, the DPWH will also undertake more precise quantification of work items and costs to lessen cost overruns.

Better quantification will likewise be introduced in the project implementation, particularly measurement of actual works completed to ensure that there is no “overbilling” and that payments to be made are commensurate to the work actually done.

1.3 Quality Control

The supervision of projects will be guided by the rigorous implementation of quality control standards to ensure that work is strictly carried out in accordance with approved plans and specifications. More quality assurance and inspectorate teams will be in place, and computerized project monitoring reports will be submitted. No final payment shall be made to any contractors unless he has completed his “clean-up activities.”

2. Maximize the Use of Existing Roads and Other Infrastructure

The DPWH is taking several measures to maximize the use of existing national roads. This will enable us to avoid costly expansion or new construction. Among these measures are the following:

2.1 Removal of Obstructions Within the Road Right-of-Way

We have issued DPWH Department Order No. 52, s. 2003, whereby all District Engineers are directed to immediately remove or cause the removal of all obstructions and prohibited uses within the right-of-way (ROW) of all national roads, pursuant to the provisions of Section 23 of PD No. 17 (Philippine Highway Act) and the National Building Code and its implementing rules and regulations.

2.2 Infrastructure Maintenance

Maintenance and repair of national roads will be intensively done.

2.3 Traffic Engineering and Management

The DPWH is collaborating with the MMDA in instituting immediate, low-cost and doable measures through traffic engineering and management.

2.4 Pedestrian Overpasses

The DPWH will build more pedestrian overpasses especially across major thoroughfares to provide for public safety and convenience.

2.5 Application to Major Corridors

The abovementioned measures will be immediately adopted to the major radial and circumferential routes in Metro Manila.

3. Rationalization of Roads and other Transport Modes

3.1 Construction of Bridges

We are giving priority to the construction of bridges across rivers and other waterways to ease traffic flow. These bridges will be strategically located, preferably where there are exis-ting connecting roads, and where they could divert substantial traffic from congested routes.

4. National Building Code

The DPWH is finalizing the amendment of the set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code to make it more responsive to the need to provide for a safer and healthful environment. The Department will exercise its authority under the law as the overall adminis-tration and enforcement arm of the Code, through the Building Officials.

Honorable BAYANI F. FERNANDO

MMDA Chairman Bayani F. Fernando formally assumes his post as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) after outgoing DPWH, now Justice Secretary Simeon A. Datumanong turned-over the responsibility in a ceremony held yesterday (January 15) at the DPWH Head Office, Manila.

Fernando, aged 55, holds the DPWH Secretary position concurrently with his position as MMDA Chairman.

Fernando, an engineer, has been the mayor of Marikina City for nine (9) years and MMDA chair since June last year.

During his incumbency as Marikina Mayor, Fernando has been conferred with at least 55 major regional and national awards such as 1998 The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) award by the Philippine Jaycee Senate and the Insurance Life Assurance Company, Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence Award, 1999 by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and Local Government Foundation (LOGODEF), Philippine Quality Award and 1998 and 1999 by the Development Academy of the Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry, and many others.

He also served as President of the Metro Manila Mayors’ League from 2000 to 2001 and Vice-Chairman of the Metro Manila Authority from 1994 to 1995.

In his speech, Fernando enjoined the employees to just do their respective duties and responsibilities.

On the alleged corruption in the DPWH, Fernando said that he will deal with it through engineering approach.

“There are engineering ways to prevent the commission of graft,” he said.

When asked on his priority as DPWH secretary, Fernando said that he will direct DPWH regional directors and district engineers to clear the roadways of obstructions.

He also said that as DPWH Secretary who has supervision on the implementation of the National Building Code, he will see to it that the said law be strictly enforced.

For his part, an emotional outgoing DPWH Secretary Datumanong thanked the DPWH officials and employees for the support they have extended to him during his incumbency.