Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana took his oath as the new Chairperson of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)’s Board of Directors before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. in Malacanang Palace on Thursday.

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

Department of National Defense (DND) Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong congratulated Lorenzana on 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,” 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 infrastructures such as tollways, airports, seaports, and major real estate developments. 

Meanwhile, Former Solicitor General Jose Calida took his oath as the Commission on Audit (COA) chairperson. 

The daughter of former Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Chief of Staff Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio also took her oath as Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson.

Other officials who took their oath were Cesar Chavez as the Undersecretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Emerald Ridao and Gerald Baria as the Undersecretaries of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Franz Imperial as the Undersecretary of the Office of the President, Honey Rose Mercado as the Undersecretary of the Presidential Management Staff, and Bianca Cristina Cardenas Zobel as the Social Secretary.

Photo Credit: Facebook/BongbongMarcos