The Palace on Thursday announced the appointment of Vivencio Dizon as the next secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) following the resignation of Jaime Bautista due to health reasons.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the appointment of Dizon will take effect on February 21. Bautista led the department since 2022.

"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, who has resigned due to health reasons," he said.

Bersamin, interviewed by reporters on the sidelines of a conference, said he will not '' dignify speculations'' two more cabinet members will leave.

The DOTr oversees most of the big ticket items, some of which are funded through Japanese aid and from multi-lateral funding institutions.

Some of these are the subway project, the North-South Commuter Railway, LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 rehabilitation.

In a statement, the DOTr said that Bautista ''thanked the President for the opportunity to work in government which Bautista considered his most challenging stint.''

''He also called his first government post most enriching, having served with utmost integrity," it stated.

"Sec. Bautista looks forward to a smooth transition, after which a much needed vacation to recuperate from two and half years of intense public service," the DOTr added. Robina Asido/DMS