Malacañang Palace confirmed on Thursday morning that Vivencio "Vince" Dizon will replace Jaime Bautista as DOTr Secretary, who has stepped down due to health reasons.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that Dizon will assume the role on 21 February.

"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," he said.

Dizon, an economist and consultant, was President & CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

He was recognized as one of People Asia's People of the Year in 2019 for his significant contribution to the Philippine economic team and his involvement in the implementation of former president Duterte's Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.

Before taking on executive roles at the BCDA, he held various positions under influential political figures.

Dizon served as a consultant to then-Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Undersecretary for Political Affairs in the Office of the President of the Philippines, and chief of staff in the Office of Senator Edgardo Angara.

During the 2020 pandemic, while still serving as BCDA chief, Dizon was appointed Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan Against COVID-19.

In this role, he played a crucial part in shaping the government's response as the country’s Testing Czar.

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 the De La Salle University.

Dizon further studied from the University of Reading in England from 1998 to 1999 where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Applied Developmental Studies.

DOTr confirms change-up in statement

The DOTr released a statement on Thursday after the news broke, confirming that Secretary Jaime Bautista would indeed step down on 21 February.

Bautista, who cited his health as the reason for resigning, is said to be in need of a vacation after “two and a half years of intense public service.”

The outgoing secretary called his two-and-a-half-year stint challenging yet enriching and thanked President Marcos for the role in public service.