Dizon named new DOTr chief as Bautista resigns
- Bautista out, Dizon in: Following Jaime Bautista’s resignation as transport chief for health reasons, Vince Dizon, who held positions in the Duterte administration including BCDA chief, has been appointed to the post.
- Dizon will head a department tasked with overseeing 69 out of 186 flagship infrastructure projects under the “Build Better More” program of the Marcos administration.
- Senators lauded the appointment of Dizon, saying he was a “good choice” and that his extensive experience in the government would be invaluable in leading the department. “He gets things done,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said of Dizon.
President Marcos has appointed Vivencio “Vince” Dizon as the new secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), replacing Jaime Bautista who had resigned for health reasons.
In a statement on Thursday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Dizon’s designation as DOTr chief would take effect on Feb. 21.
“He is already authorized by the Office of the President to start the transition at the DOTr in coordination with the team of (Bautista),” Bersamin said.
Dizon will head a department tasked with overseeing 69 out of 186 flagship infrastructure projects under the “Build Better More” program of the Marcos administration, including the Metro Manila subway and the North-South commuter railway, a 147-kilometer rail system that will run from Clark in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna.
Dizon, who served in several government posts during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is currently the chief regulatory officer of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. of gaming and ports tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.
26 years in gov’t
He last served in government as president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and as Duterte’s adviser for flagship infrastructure programs and pandemic response.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez said Dizon had so far spent 26 years in government service, with extensive experience in the legislative and executive branches.
“He also received one of the highest civilian honors, the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Bayani, for his important contributions to the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program and the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Chavez said.
In October 2020, Dizon faced a complaint filed by the watchdog Citizens Crime Watch Association for graft and malversation of public funds over the construction of sports facilities worth P11 billion. The hub, which were used in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, was allegedly marked by irregularities like the lack of public bidding and unauthorized modifications of the original contract, among others.
Senators lauded the appointment of Dizon, saying he was a “good choice” and that his extensive experience in the government would be invaluable in leading the department.
“He gets things done,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said of Dizon.
Sen. Joel Villanueva added that they look forward to working with the DOTr under 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.”
Sen. Grace Poe thanked Dizon for accepting the “enormous task at this critical time,” assuring the new DOTr head that he could count on the Senate’s support in bringing relief to the commuting public and finding lasting solutions to the problems of the transportation sector.
Sen JV Ejercito said he was looking forward to working with Dizon to fast-track the completion of major infrastructure projects.
The senators also thanked Bautista “for his dedicated service to the DOTr.”
“I have seen firsthand his commitment to strengthening the country’s transport systems. We appreciate his contributions and wish him well,” Ejercito said.
“We wish to thank (Bautista) for his sincere and dedicated service and we wish him the best of health,” Poe added.
Bautista, who was appointed to the DOTr in June 2022, thanked President Marcos for “the opportunity to work in government,” which he described as “his most challenging stint.”
The former president of flag carrier Philippine Airlines said he was looking forward to a “smooth transition” at the department, to be followed by his “much-needed vacation to recuperate from two and a half years of intense public service.”
His DOTr stint saw the signing of the P170.6-billion project for the rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport with a consortium led by San Miguel Corp. last year, a massive makeover of the aging gateway pending since the Ramos presidency in the 1990s.
P-Noy to Du30 terms
Early in his career, Dizon served as chief of staff of the late Senate President Edgardo Angara from 2002 to 2004. He was also an assistant professor who taught economics at De La Salle University.
In 2011, he joined the Office of the Political Adviser during the term of then President Benigno Aquino III, holding the rank of undersecretary and serving in the post until 2013.
Dizon later became a consultant to then Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano from 2013 to 2016, until he was appointed BCDA president and CEO by Duterte, a post that he held until 2021.
In late 2020, Duterte made him officer in charge of Clark Development Corp., a subsidiary of the BCDA that manages Clark Freeport Zone.
In October 2021, Dizon left the BCDA for a new role as Duterte’s presidential adviser for pandemic response.
As deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan Against Covid-19, he oversaw the conversion of major facilities across the country into mega quarantine centers. —WITH REPORTS FROM TINA SANTOS AND TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD
