Coronavirus testing czar Vince Dizon has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the state-run firm confirmed on Tuesday, October 19.

Dizon’s resignation took effect last Friday, October 15.

He stepped down to take on the role of presidential adviser for COVID-19 response, said the BCDA.

Following Dizon’s move, BCDA Director Aristotle Batuhan was appointed officer-in-charge.

Dizon’s resignation was first made public by BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen Zosa during the state-run firm’s budget deliberation at the Senate on Monday, October 18.

“I think this is an irrevocable resignation, but he will stay in the Cabinet for the anti-COVID efforts,” Zosa had said.

Dizon wears various hats in government, including presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects.

He played an active role in setting up “mega quarantine facilities” in Luzon.

Dizon was also among those involved in the construction of the controversial sports facilities used during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Dizon and other officials face a graft complaint over the P11-billion sports complex in Tarlac, which is currently used as a quarantine facility.

Despite the allegations, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Dizon as officer-in-charge of Clark Development Corporation’s Office of the Chairperson in December 2020. He was OIC until the appointment of former Angeles City mayor Edgardo Pamintuan as chair in February 2021. – Rappler.com