MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, February 13, appointed Vivencio “Vince” Bringas Dizon as the new secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday, February 13.
Dizon will replace Jaime Bautista, the former president of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) who was plucked from retirement to lead the DOTr, beginning February 21.
“He is already authorized by the Office of the President to start the transition at the DOTr in coordination with the team of Secretary Jaime Bautista, who has resigned due to health reasons,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement.
Dizon previously served as the president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). He was also appointed by former president Rodrigo Duterte as COVID-19 testing czar during the pandemic.
He inherits a department tasked to lead several big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway Project, and the North-South Commuter Railway System, among others.
These projects currently rely on unprogrammed appropriations — or the government’s stand-by funds. Bautista previously said that the DOTr may tap into these funds by the second quarter of 2025.
More details to follow. – Rappler.com