Vince Dizon | |
|---|---|
 Dizon in 2019 | |
| Secretary of Public Works and Highways | |
| Assumed office September 1, 2025 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Manuel Bonoan |
| 41stSecretary of Transportation | |
| In office February 21, 2025 – September 1, 2025 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Jaime Bautista |
| Succeeded by | Giovanni Lopez (acting) |
| Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response | |
| In office November 23, 2021 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| IATF-EID Testing Czar | |
| In office March 16, 2020 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Task force deactivated |
| Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 | |
| In office March 16, 2020 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Task force deactivated |
| Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects | |
| In office August 27, 2019 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| President and CEO of theBases Conversion and Development Authority | |
| In office August 6, 2016 – October 15, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Arnel Paciano Casanova |
| Succeeded by | Aristotle Batuhan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vivencio Bringas Dizon (1974-08-18)August 18, 1974 (age 51) Quezon City, Philippines |
| Spouse | Essie Romero |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | De La Salle University(B.A.,BComm.) University of Reading(M.S.) |
Vivencio "Vince"Bringas DizonGCrL (born August 18, 1974) is a Filipino economist, consultant, and political aide who has served as thesecretary of public works and highways since 2025 on anad interim basis under PresidentBongbong Marcos. He previously served as the 41stsecretary of transportation under President Marcos from February to September 2025. He also served as PresidentRodrigo Duterte's adviser onflagship programs and projects, deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan AgainstCOVID-19, and president and CEO of theBases Conversion and Development Authority.
Dizon was born on August 18, 1974, inQuezon City but spent most of his childhood inPorac,Pampanga. His family roots also tracing toCapas,Tarlac, andAbra through his mother, Lanie Bringas-Dizon.[1][2][better source needed]
He attendedDon Bosco Technical College for high school. From 1991 to 1996, he studied atDe La Salle University (DLSU) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree in Management of Financial Institutions.[2] While there, he was a representative, and in 1995, became the President of the Student Council of De La Salle University, running under the political party of Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista.[1] He was a consistent member of the Dean's Honors List and was awarded an Outstanding Thesis in Finance.[2]
From 1998 to 1999, while a recipient of theBritish Chevening Scholarship Award, Dizon went to theUniversity of Reading for his masters. He graduated in December 1999 with a Master of Science degree in Applied Developmental Studies.[2]
After his undergraduate studies, from 1996 to 1998, Dizon worked as an economic staffer toSenate PresidentEdgardo Angara.[1] He also served as his chief of staff from 2002 to 2004.[2]
From 1999 to 2002, he was an assistant professor of economics at DLSU. In 2004, he worked for thepresidential campaign ofFernando Poe Jr. as a close-in assistant.[1] After the2004 elections, Dizon moved to the Czech Republic, where he worked at theUniversity of Northern VirginiaPrague Campus as a senior lecturer in economics, finance, and statistics.[1]
From 2007 to 2011, Dizon was the vice president for Corporate Communications of Strategic Alliance Holdings – Technologies. He then entered government again in 2011, during the term of PresidentBenigno Aquino III, when he became an undersecretary at the Office of the Political Adviser under theOffice of the President. He served in that position until 2013, when he then became a consultant toSenate Majority LeaderAlan Peter Cayetano. He worked for Cayetano until July 2016.[2]
Dizon was appointed president and CEO of theBases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in August 2016. As such, he also became the chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance Development, vice-chairman of theClark International Airport Corporation, BCDA representative to theClark Development Corporation board, and member of the boards of directors ofFort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Bonifacio Estates Services Corporation andBonifacio Global City Estates Association.[2]
Upon his assumption of the post, Dizon, together with BCDA Chairman Gregorio Garcia III, revamped BCDA's brand statement, “We Build Great Cities While We Strengthen the Armed Forces” to emphasize the agency's mandate of providing economic opportunities to its military stakeholders while transforming former military camps into centers of growth.[3] During Dizon's term as BCDA chief, the agency posted its highest contribution to its major stakeholder, theArmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). BCDA remitted₱15.16 billion to the AFP in the first three years of the Duterte administration alone, accounting for 33 percent of the total contributions made since 1993. Under Dizon, BCDA has remitted a total of ₱16.367 billion to the National Treasury.[4]
BCDA's total assets increased by 7 percent from₱182 billion in 2018 to₱195 billion in 2019.[5]
Dizon prioritized the development ofClark which was aligned with President Duterte's plan to decongestMetro Manila, the Philippines' capital region and largest metropolitan area, and develop other potential economic hubs in the regions.[6] On November 27, 2018, BCDA inaugurated its corporate office inClark Global City and transferred part of its operations there as part of the move to decentralize state offices inManila. In the same month, Dizon led BCDA's launch of “Clark: It Works, Like a Dream,” a major campaign which integrates four investment districts, namely the Clark Freeport Zone, Clark Global City, Clark International Airport, and theNew Clark City.[7]
Dizon saw Clark as one of the most financially viable lands of BCDA and prioritized the expansion of Clark International Airport and the development of the Philippines’ first smart, green, sustainable and resilient metropolis, New Clark City. In October 2020, the government announced that the construction of the new Clark International Airport Passenger Terminal Building is already 100 percent completed, and will be operational by 2021.[8]
His term also saw quick development of New Clark City Phase 1A which served as the main sports hub for the2019 Southeast Asian Games.[9] The BCDA also hosted other major sporting events in the new sports complex, such as the 1st Philippine National Open Swimming Championships, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) qualifiers, and the first New Clark City Triathlon.[10]
President Duterte included Dizon as a member of the Cabinet cluster on infrastructure in July 2019, and in September the same year, he was named Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects to oversee the monitoring and implementation of the administration'sflagship infrastructure programs, and making recommendations thereto.
In November 2019, during aSenate interpellation for the Philippine Sports Commission Budget for 2020, Dizon was prominently coaching SenatorBong Go on how to answer questions raised by SenatorFranklin Drilon on the future financial viability of facilities built in BDCA for the2019 SEA Games.[11]
In October 2020, the Citizens Crime Watch Association filed before theOffice of the Ombudsman a complaint for graft andmalversation against Dizon, Government Corporate Counsel Elpidio Vega, and Isaac David, the director of Malaysian firm MTD Capital Berhad – the BCDA's partner in building New Clark over the₱11-billion facilities in New Clark City used during the 2019 SEA Games.[12]
In December 2020, Dizon was appointed by President Duterte as the officer-in-charge chairperson of the Clark Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the BCDA that manages Clark Freeport Zone.[13]
On October 15, 2021, Dizon filed his resignation as BCDA president.[14]
_chief_and_testing_czar_Secretary_Vince_Dizon_proudly_shows_his_arm_vaccinated_with_CoronaVac.jpg)
During the2020 COVID-19 pandemic and even while serving as BCDA chief, Dizon was appointed National Action Plan Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer,[15] contributing to the government's policies in response to COVID-19 and serving as the country's Testing Czar.
As chief coordinator of the government's "Test, Trace and Treat" strategy, Dizon played an active role in improving the Philippines’ COVID-19 testing capacity. In September, Dizon reported that 3 million Filipinos have been tested, with daily testing capacity reaching 42,000.[16] Dizon was also actively involved in the conversion of major facilities to mega quarantine centers for COVID patients.
In Clark, Dizon initiated the setting up of Task Force Clark Safe Haven to assistoverseas Filipino workers (OFWs), both those stranded by the lockdown and those returning to the country.[17]
Through Dizon and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark was able to host thePhilippine Basketball Association (PBA)bubble, the first sports event in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
In November 2021, Dizon took his oath of office as the new Presidential Adviser for COVID response.[19] According to acting presidential spokespersonKarlo Nograles, his office is focused on the vaccination efforts of government.[20]
On February 13, 2025, PresidentBongbong Marcos appointed Dizon asSecretary of Transportation, replacingJaime Bautista, who resigned citing health reasons.[21] Dizon took his oath of office before President Marcos on February 21.[22] TheCommission on Appointments confirmed his appointment on June 3, 2025.[23]
On his first day as secretary, Dizon ordered theToll Regulatory Board (TRB) to suspend its plan to implement a compulsory cashless payment system on toll roads, describing the proposed system as "anti-poor".[24]
In May 2025, Dizon directed local officials in Eastern Visayas to operationalize the Amandayehan Port inBasey, Samar, within two weeks as part of emergency measures to address logistics disruptions caused by load restrictions on theSan Juanico Bridge. During an inter-agency meeting and site inspection, Dizon emphasized President Marcos's instruction to ensure the continuous movement of goods, fuel, and essential supplies between the provinces ofLeyte and Samar amid the declaration ofstates of emergency in Samar andTacloban. He also recommended that the port's management be transferred to thePhilippine Ports Authority (PPA) to enable sustained funding and development beyond the initial works supported by theDepartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).[25]
Dizon has reaffirmed his commitment to securing adequate funding for theDepartment of Transportation's (DOTr) Active Transportation Strategic Master Plan (ATSMP), a national framework aimed at promotingwalkability andcyclist-friendly infrastructure throughout the country's urban centers. Dizon has acknowledged the deeplycar-centric design ofMetro Manila and other cities and stressed the urgent need to reframe transport planning to prioritize the safety and dignity of pedestrians and cyclists. He emphasized the importance ofpolitical will and pledged to fight for increased funding in the 2026 budget cycle, following a ₱90 billion (US$1.6 billion) reduction to the DOTr's approved 2025 allocation.[26]
The ATSMP, which is in its consultation phase, is being developed in collaboration with private planning firmPalafox Associates and aims to address gaps in the country'sactive transport infrastructure. Public consultations are underway in six pilot cities—Iloilo,Mati, Metro Manila,Puerto Princesa,Surigao, andZamboanga—to shape the plan's priorities and implementation strategies.[26] However, the initiative faces significant budget constraints: for 2026, the ATSMP has been provisionally allocated only ₱69 million ($1.2 million), far below the ₱2.4 billion ($43 million) initially requested. This limited budget would allow for implementation in just one of the six target areas, significantly curbing the nationwide impact of the program and leaving the broader active transport network fragmented.[27]
Dizon acknowledged the limitations imposed by budget constraints but stressed that he would push for restored and increased funding in the 2026 budget, instructing Road Transport Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor to prioritize active transport in future allocations. He noted that effective use of the current budget would be essential to avoid further reductions and build a stronger case for expanded support. Under Dizon's leadership, the DOTr aimed to institutionalize active transportation planning through interagency collaboration.[26]
Dizon also emphasized the broader societal value of active transport, linking it to health, safety, and sustainability goals. In response to critiques of disjointed planning and poor infrastructure, Dizon urged civil society groups to help gather public feedback on pedestrian facilities and design standards. He stressed that shifting road space to more efficient and inclusive modes of mobility is not only necessary but achievable with political will—a quality he committed to exercising in his role as transport chief.[26]
In May 2025, Dizon announced that rehabilitation work onEDSA, one of Metro Manila'sprimary thoroughfares, was scheduled to begin in mid-June, with June 13 identified as the tentative start date by theMetropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Dizon emphasized the urgency of the project, noting that EDSA had not undergone a major renovation in 45 years.[28] To manage anticipatedtraffic congestion, the DOTr, under Dizon's leadership and in its capacity as chair of the TRB, planned to implement toll-free access to select segments ofSkyway Stage 3 to help divert traffic. In addition, an odd-evennumber coding scheme was set to be enforced along EDSA, while coordination with other agencies and stakeholders continued to finalize the broader traffic management plan.[29]
Dizon stated that the rehabilitation would prioritize not only motorists but also pedestrians and commuters, as part of a broader effort to make EDSA safer and more inclusive.[30] On May 26, 2025, Dizon joined members of the Move As One Coalition in a community walk along EDSA, where he observed firsthand the hazards faced by pedestrians, including areas with limited protection from vehicles and motorcycles.[31] He emphasized that enhancing pedestrian safety is a central objective of the ₱8.7 billion ($156 million) EDSA rehabilitation.[32]
The rehabilitation, the first of its scale since 1980, was to involve the phased replacement of existing road surfaces with new concrete and asphalt, alongside upgrades to pedestrian walkways and drainage systems.[30][31] Dizon also confirmed that key commuter services would remain operational throughout the construction period, including theEDSA Carousel bus system, which would retain itsdedicated lane, and an expandedMetro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) service with additional four-car train sets. These measures, he noted, reflect the administration's commitment to prioritizing commuter needs in the modernization of EDSA.[32]
On June 1, 2025, President Marcos ordered the postponement of the rehabilitation to allow for a review of the project's processes.[33]
.jpg)
On August 31, 2025, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Dizon as thesecretary of public works and highways, following the resignation ofManuel Bonoan amidst theflood control projects controversy. In turn, DOTr finance undersecretary Giovanni Lopez was named as the acting secretary of transportation. Dizon has served as secretary on anad interim basis since September 1, 2025, as theCommission on Appointments has yet to schedule his confirmation hearing.[34]
Hours after being sworn in by President Marcos on September 1, 2025, Dizon ordered all officials of theDepartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit their courtesy resignations, citing a directive from the President to cleanse the agency of "corrupt officials" following reports of anomalousflood control projects. Dizon added that he would permanently blacklist contractors involved in substandard infrastructure projects.[35]
In an interview over DZMM on September 2, 2025, Dizon said he would dissolve the DPWH's Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Committee, which had been established days earlier by his predecessorManuel Bonoan to investigate anomalies within the agency. He explained that the department should not investigate itself, and instead directed that findings on projects and accountability be turned over to the independent commission created by President Marcos. Dizon added that his focus as secretary would be on internal reforms and cleanup, with the commission tasked to determine responsibility for irregularities.[36]
In a press briefing on September 3, 2025, Dizon announced that all bidding for locally-funded DPWH projects at the national, regional, and district levels would be temporarily suspended while the agency reviews ongoing works and introduces safeguards, in line with President Marcos's directive to address alleged anomalies in flood-control programs. Dizon clarified that foreign-assisted projects would proceed, citing oversight by international funders, and said the suspension would last up to two weeks. In the same briefing, Dizon requested theDepartment of Justice to monitor any future international travels of officials and contractors, including former DPWHRegion IV-A assistant regional director Henry Alcantara and construction ownerSarah Discaya, as investigations continued following reports that 15 out of 1,600 validated flood control projects were found to be non-existent.[37]
Dizon is married to Essie Romero and they have one daughter.[1]
Dizon received one of the highest civilian honors—theOrder of Lakandula with the rank of Bayani—for his contributions to Duterte'sBuild, Build, Build infrastructure program and the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dizon was named one ofPeople Asia's People of the Year in 2019 for his role in the Philippine economic team and his active role in the implementation of Build, Build, Build.[38]
He is also an Asia CEO Awards 2019 Circle of Excellence Awardee[39] and was featured by Pampanga-based newspaperPunto! as "2018 Man of the Year" for the projects he spearheaded in Clark.[40]
Grand Cross of theOrder of Lakandula with Rank of Bayani (2022)
Media related toVince Dizon at Wikimedia Commons| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Arnel Paciano Casanova | President & CEO of theBases Conversion and Development Authority 2016–2021 | Succeeded by Aristotle Batuhan |
| Political offices | ||
| New title | Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects 2019–2022 | Position abolished |
| Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 2020–2022 | ||
| IATF-EID Testing Czar 2020–2022 | ||
| Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response 2021–2022 | ||
| Preceded by | Secretary of Transportation 2025 | Succeeded by Giovanni Lopez asActing Secretary of Transportation |
| Preceded by | Secretary of Public Works and Highways 2025–present | Incumbent |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Preceded byasSecretary of Agriculture | Order of Precedence of the Philippines asSecretary of Public Works and Highways | Succeeded byasSecretary of Education |