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.