PBBM swears in Lorenzana as BCDA chair, 8 more execs

FILE: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during the media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (June 10, 2019). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana took his oath as the new chairperson of the board of directors of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace on Thursday.

The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) confirmed Lorenzana’s appointment in a message to reporters.

Former Solicitor General Jose Calida took his oath as chairperson of the Commission on Audit. Marcos announced Calida’s appointment late last month.

Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio, chief of staff and daughter of former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, also took her oath as Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson.

Sotto also shared photos of his daughter posing for a photo with the President.

Other officials who took their oath were:

–Cesar Chavez, Undersecretary – Department of Transportation

–Emerald Ridao, Undersecretary – Office of the Press Secretary

–Franz Imperial, Undersecretary – Office of the President

–Honey Rose Mercado, Undersecretary – Presidential Management Staff

–Bianca Cristina Cardenas Zobel, Social Secretary

–Gerald Baria, Undersecretary – Office of the President

In a separate statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) congratulated Lorenzana for his appointment.

“The DND is confident that (former) Secretary Lorenzana will steer the BCDA towards a stronger collaboration not only with the AFP but with all its stakeholders for the development of vibrant economic hubs and communities in different parts of the country,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

The BCDA is a government-owned and controlled development corporation created by law to develop former US military bases and properties.

With the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as its major beneficiary, the BCDA has contributed to the funding of the AFP Modernization Program for the past years.

The BCDA also engages in public-private partnerships to push forward public infrastructure such as tollways, airports, seaports, and also major real estate developments. (with reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)