Maria Lourdes Fernando (1st Plenary)

City Mayor
Marikina City, Philippines

Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando was elected Mayor of Marikina City in 2001 and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2004 and 2007.

As local chief executive, she has introduced a paradigm shift in local governance from being merely a service provider into an economic manager. Her corporate approach to community management has elevated Marikina among the ranks of Best Managed Cities in the Philippines.

Marikina is singled-out for its remarkable achievements in fixing the environment, improving institutional capacity, promoting a culture of discipline, developing profitable local economic enterprises, improving liveability and competitiveness and improving the public education. Some of Marikina’s notable programs include: Development of Bicycle Lanes, Construction of concrete Road Dike, Development of Community Theme Parks, and Establishment of various Economic Enterprises (Theater Arts, Marikina Hotel, Shoe Museum, Marikina River Night Bazaar and Marikina Sports Park) and establishment of a City College. These programs have greatly enhanced the city’s competitiveness, making it one of the ideal places to live and do business in.

Before becoming Mayor, she served as Chairman of the Board of BF Group of Companies (construction, metal fabrication and others) and as consultant to various food service facilities. She also had some teaching engagement as Lecturer in the Home Economics, University of the Philippines and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Properties Management, Cornell University, and Ithaca, New York, USA.

She holds a Masters Degree in Professional Studies from Cornell University and Bachelors Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from University of the Philippines.

Some of the notable awards received by the city under her watch include the following:

• Galing Pook Award for Innovation and Excellence 2008 for Eco-Savers Program (centralized warehousing program)
  
• Galing Pook Award for Innovation and Excellence 2007 for Eco-Savers Program (waste management program)
  
• Most Competitive Metro City in the Philippines, 2003 and 2005 (The city ranked first in quality of life, infrastructure and responsiveness of local government.)
  
• Most Outstanding Local Chief Executive, Hall of Fame Award
  
• Most Outstanding Woman in Good Governance
  
• 2006 People of the Year (Public Service Category)
  

Noted for her slogan, “Work hard, work well and work together”, she has transformed Marikina into a model city in good governance in the Philippines.