The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA, is an agency of the Republic of the Philippines created embracing the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Malabon, Taguig, Navotas and San Juan and the municipality of Pateros. Metropolitan Manila or the National Capital Region is constituted into a special development and administrative region subject to direct supervision of the President of the Philippines. The MMDA office is located at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) corner Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati, Philippines.
Well-known for his work as Mayor of Marikina City, Bayani Fernando was then appointed as Chairman of the MMDA. He launched the "Metro Gwapo" drive to start the advocacy of turning Metro Manila to the pride of the Philippines as its capital. He created the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Department, which aimed to clear all sidewalks from illegal structures. Among these are the sidewalks of the North Luzon Central Market (Cloverleaf Market) in Balintawak, Quezon City. The national government saved money because of his decision to change the design of some existing intersections by installing numerous U-turn slots and steel pedestrian overpasses, which he called "footbridges". Metro Manila became notable for becoming the Asian metropolis with a unique male sidewalk urinal. Among the 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila, the cities of Makati, Manila and the municipality of San Juan disapprove of Fernando's proposals. As a result, these locations do not have major MMDA projects constructed nor deputized traffic enforcers.