Bautista out, Dizon in as transport chief
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chief Vivencio Dizon as secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Malacañang said Thursday. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Dizon would replace Jaime Bautista as DOTr chief effective Feb. 21, 2025. Bersamin said Bautista, a former chief executive officer of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, bowed out due to concerns over his health. "He (Dizon) 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," he said in a statement. Before his appointment, Dizon served as the deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan Against Covid-19, chief testing czar, and the chief coordinator of the Test, Trace, Treat Program under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte during the pandemic. An economist, Dizon also served as the former presidential adviser on the flagship programs and projects of the Duterte administration. As BCDA chief under the Duterte administration, he contributed to the success in the implementation of big-ticket projects under the government's ambitious Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. Dizon also worked as a consultant of Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano from 2013 to 2016; undersecretary for political affairs of the Office of the President from 2011 to 2013; and the chief of staff of the Office of Sen. Edgardo Angara from 2002 to 2004. He also became the vice president for corporate communications for Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc.-Technologies from 2007 to 2011. The new DOTr chief earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics and a bachelor of science in commerce degree in Management of Financial Institutions from De La Salle University. He studied at the University of Reading in England from 1998 to 1999, where he obtained a master of science degree in Applied Developmental Studies. Dizon will inherit a department tasked to lead several big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway System. Several senators said they are hopeful that Dizon would expedite the completion of crucial public transport projects. Sen. Grace Poe, in a statement on Thursday, thanked Dizon "for taking on such an enormous task at this critical time." "We are confident that with his skills and experience, he could fast-track the urgently needed reforms and projects under the department," Poe said. The senator said Dizon can count on her support "in bringing relief to our commuting public and lasting solutions to our transportation sector." Sen. JV Ejercito said he looks forward to "working with incoming Secretary Dizon to fast-track the completion of major infrastructure projects that will benefit millions of Filipinos." Sen. Joel Villanueva said Dizon's "extensive experience in government will be invaluable in leading the department." "We look forward to working with the agency under Secretary Dizon's leadership, particularly in tackling the country's traffic challenges, ensuring safe and efficient transport, and advancing transportation infrastructure, which are vital in driving the country's economic progress," Villanueva said. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada welcomed Dizon's appointment. "There's no doubt that he will be able to deliver and effectively address the pressing transportation challenges we face," Estrada said. "I believe he will bring the much-needed efficiency and modernization to our transportation system." Poe, Ejercito and Villanueva thanked the outgoing secretary for his service and wished him the best of health. The Akbayan party-list group, meanwhile, invited Dizon to a dialogue with commuters on various issues. Among those issues were a call to extend the operating hours of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the improvement of the EDSA bus lane. "We look forward to his term, and we hope that he is open to the voices of the commuting public. We hope that he can rise to the occasion to transform the transport system to become responsive to their needs," Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said in a statement. "Train systems in Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Singapore operate until midnight. We just have to properly invest in the maintenance and upgrading of our trains to ensure the safety and quality of commute," Cendaña said. In a statement on Thursday, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda expressed confidence in Dizon's leadership. "When you need a job done, you hire Vince and the job gets done. I am sure he will bury himself in the work of the DOTr immediately. I am also certain of quick confirmation by the CA (Commission on Appointments)," Salceda said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chief Vivencio Dizon as secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Malacañang said Thursday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Dizon would replace Jaime Bautista as DOTr chief effective Feb. 21, 2025.
Bersamin said Bautista, a former chief executive officer of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, bowed out due to concerns over his health.
"He (Dizon) 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," he said in a statement.
Before his appointment, Dizon served as the deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan Against Covid-19, chief testing czar, and the chief coordinator of the Test, Trace, Treat Program under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte during the pandemic.
An economist, Dizon also served as the former presidential adviser on the flagship programs and projects of the Duterte administration.
As BCDA chief under the Duterte administration, he contributed to the success in the implementation of big-ticket projects under the government's ambitious Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.
Dizon also worked as a consultant of Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano from 2013 to 2016; undersecretary for political affairs of the Office of the President from 2011 to 2013; and the chief of staff of the Office of Sen. Edgardo Angara from 2002 to 2004.
He also became the vice president for corporate communications for Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc.-Technologies from 2007 to 2011.
The new DOTr chief earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics and a bachelor of science in commerce degree in Management of Financial Institutions from De La Salle University.
He studied at the University of Reading in England from 1998 to 1999, where he obtained a master of science degree in Applied Developmental Studies.
Dizon will inherit a department tasked to lead several big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway System.
Several senators said they are hopeful that Dizon would expedite the completion of crucial public transport projects.
Sen. Grace Poe, in a statement on Thursday, thanked Dizon "for taking on such an enormous task at this critical time."
"We are confident that with his skills and experience, he could fast-track the urgently needed reforms and projects under the department," Poe said.
The senator said Dizon can count on her support "in bringing relief to our commuting public and lasting solutions to our transportation sector."
Sen. JV Ejercito said he looks forward to "working with incoming Secretary Dizon to fast-track the completion of major infrastructure projects that will benefit millions of Filipinos."
Sen. Joel Villanueva said Dizon's "extensive experience in government will be invaluable in leading the department."
"We look forward to working with the agency under Secretary Dizon's leadership, particularly in tackling the country's traffic challenges, ensuring safe and efficient transport, and advancing transportation infrastructure, which are vital in driving the country's economic progress," Villanueva said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada welcomed Dizon's appointment.
"There's no doubt that he will be able to deliver and effectively address the pressing transportation challenges we face," Estrada said. "I believe he will bring the much-needed efficiency and modernization to our transportation system."
Poe, Ejercito and Villanueva thanked the outgoing secretary for his service and wished him the best of health.
The Akbayan party-list group, meanwhile, invited Dizon to a dialogue with commuters on various issues.
Among those issues were a call to extend the operating hours of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the improvement of the EDSA bus lane.
"We look forward to his term, and we hope that he is open to the voices of the commuting public. We hope that he can rise to the occasion to transform the transport system to become responsive to their needs," Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said in a statement.
"Train systems in Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Singapore operate until midnight. We just have to properly invest in the maintenance and upgrading of our trains to ensure the safety and quality of commute," Cendaña said.
In a statement on Thursday, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda expressed confidence in Dizon's leadership.
"When you need a job done, you hire Vince and the job gets done. I am sure he will bury himself in the work of the DOTr immediately. I am also certain of quick confirmation by the CA (Commission on Appointments)," Salceda said.
