Juaton,Zoey Mae T.

AB Polsci
PS04

Conjugal Mayorship: The Fernandos and the transportation of Marikina, 1992-2010

Marika is a city known to have good labor communities. I’m well fascinated about the
city’s source of income and also its famous trademark. After a background check, Marikina was
established by Jesuit missionaries in 1630 and, it became the provincial capital of the province of
manila under the first Philippine republic from 1898 to 1899 during the Philippine Revolution,
The jews inhabitants settled near the river which led to the establishment of first church in
present days barangays barangka and Jesus Dela Pena at the foot of Ateneo De Manila
University,The year of 1733, the chinese mestizos took over the land that was granted to the
Tuazon family. This explains why mostly old residents of Marikina can be seen with Chinese-
like features because of the mixed and probably most Chinese settled in this area. These settlers
really did not dominate the community, but also dominated the local economy of Marikina.Given
the historic facts, Marikina is very popular for residential and industrial settlements.

During the era of 1970, Marikina’s reigning in Manila and was tagged to be a red light
district. Popularity, because of the area’s remote location that paves officials to place
entertainment facilities in Marikina. The Second District (Parang,Malanday and Concepcion)
drew businesses to establish there and these are: Fortune Tobacco Corp,Bf Goodrich rubber and
tire company, Arms Corp. of the Philippines, Goya chocolate factory and Mariwasa tiles and
ceramics. The other known corporation like Purefoods also setted in the first district. The
marikina’s location that suits for business or facilities to operate there became a vital role in
attracting workers around the country to work and migrate in Marikina. Aside from attracting
companies that produce goods and quality, the second district introduced another type of
business, which is called real estate.

Bayani Fernando, also known as Bayani. Bayani styled himself and was viewed as
another Asian strongman of another mold, the neo-confucian leader Lee Kuan Yew. While this,
Bayani had successfully utilized the persuasive practices of China and Singapore when it comes
to governance. The teamed up husband and wife became effective in the grounds of transforming
Marikina by laying infrastructure work to remodel the city. If tracing any familiarity in regards
to politics, Bayani is not new to this one. In fact, his father had also been a mayor of Marikina
from 1947-1959. He has exposure but took a different path at first. Studying civil-engineering
and successfully endorsing the Bf corporation that played a major inspiration in the construction
industry.

During the period of the Aquino Administration, local elections were introduced in 1897.
Bayani was just trying for luck and for the sake of reviving those dreams of Marikina river being
a center of community activities, in 1992 with the raging fire of saving marikina, the votes were
a landslide victory favoring Bayani. Bayani wore his construction helmet every campaign that
came up with his notable catchy battle cry of “Bf gets it done”. Later on, the message was
effective in winning the hearts of the people's heart that yearn for a new competent leader rather
than the old previous incompetent administration. Bayani’s stepping stone of success finally
granted and the centerpiece program that he was projecting like Save the Marikina Rivers
appealed to the voters.

In achieving a well organized community, Bayani knew well that one must be attained if
he can teach and govern with order and discipline. He knew effectiveness are the results of
paying attention more importantly to discipline and meticulousness. Clinging to the theory of
being mentally and physically aware of the surroundings rather than pulling off an attitude of
letting things be. He believes that if you must pay attention and acquire discipline, then every
struggle or any inconvenience can be taken down and resolved while it is still small and not
letting it prosper to the point that it will consume you.

Bayani imposed a strict regulation in the streets of Marikina. He saw how the streets were
congested with chaos and crimes.The city council passed a resolution that classified all materials
and illegal structures in public conveyance as apt for disposal. He started asphalting and
concreting the Marikina;s notorious roads, believing that this is the starting point of rearranging
Marikina and making it safe again. Renovating Marikina as a whole, took him lots of time as the
city was far from what it is used to be known at. His projects focused on making Marikina not
just a safest place, but to pay attention to the livelihood and community activities that will
enhance the lives of people living in Marikina. Making it more convenient and community
friendly. Bayani also emphasized keeping the residents physically fit and active, so he
redeveloped Marikina Sport Center. It has amenities such as for swimming,baseball and football.
Aside from that, he also enhanced the facilities for basketball,volleyball,table tennis and
aerobics. It is better that Bayani also focuses and develops physical activities or fitness because
throughout the history of Marikina, marikina used to be known as where sports facilities were
held. Bayani just knew better than to just focus on other things, he knew what needed to be done
and how or where the resources should be used. Given that the Marikina experienced
inefficiency and corruption.

We can see the persistence in making Marikina into a model city. From proposing clean
and green practices, it is visibly seen as the product of discipline and good governance in the
entire Marikina to hold such as this. There is also circulating about bayani’s success in managing
Marikina, it has some sort of affiliation with Fidel V. It was said in the article that both persons
had much in common: being methodical and sticklers for details. This is much better explained
to the projects they held during their administration as they were most likely focused on
developing and making their nature a wonderful and comfortable area. Planning and execution is
a vital role in achieving such a good performance in governing and making a city into a
successful remodel type. Along with the development, it can be seen that they are both similar
with their public image.

The strong philosophy of Bayani when it comes to managing his areas and residents, he
has his way of conveying messages to the residents. One particular example, the sidewalks. The
painted sidewalks have multiple messages but it does circulate around the topics of
discipline,healthy,friendly and well. It also serves as a reminder that the government is not blind,
but rather they are there watching. These rules are implied for a practical purpose for common
good.

After Bayani, his wife had successfully taken over his office. The wife ran Marikina for
nine years gracefully. The wife of Bayani just continued the projects of Bayani himself. It was
like extension, or simply saying, Bayani still ruled but through his wife. In comparison to
Bayani’s focus, Marides (Bayani’s wife) is focused on the city becoming sustainable financially
and environmentally.Marides background is not ordinary like others, she was the daughter of one
of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. It’s clear that she was and she has accessed
all things, as her wealthy background describes it all. She pushed the management system that
set the standard for governance in an urbanized setting. She became the finalist for World City
Mayor in 2008. Focused on improving quality of life, Marides emphasized the concept of a
healthy city. A city where there is an appreciation for a healthy lifestyle. Considering the
exposure to corporate and experience, Marides manages to run a firm, lead an organization and
deal with customers. She was greatly appreciated next to his husband because of her continued
work for Marikina.

Overall, Marikina’s huge success when it comes to locales is because of the cooperation
and support of the residents there. But Bayani. Became a tool for the succession of the projects to
the residents particularly in the whole Marikina. Given the circumstances that the former corrupt
administration left, the state of Marikina is in terror but Bayani managed to improve the quality
of life and economy there. Although, some people may say that the leadership style only became
effective because of the given influence. We cannot deny the fact that this influence that Bayani
might have used to win over the hearts of the citizens is for the common good. Marikina
underwent a major transformation since he won the election. The standard set by Fernandos
became the basis to reach by the ongoing administration. The small municipality became popular
for its type of area and also in production. The Fernandos governed for a long time and enabled
Marikina to prosper on its own. To have and accept changes, improving life quality, establishing
a better economy and to have an order, in which residents will follow.