MANILA (UPDATE)— Secretary Vince Dizon has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority but will continue to be part of the government's efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic, a BCDA official said Monday.

At a Senate hearing, BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen Zosa said Dizon's resignation, which was formally conveyed to President Rodrigo Duterte, was to take effect last Friday, Oct. 15.

"I think it was an irrevocable resignation but he will stay in the Cabinet... for the anti-COVID efforts of the government," Zosa told Sen. Sonny Angara, who asked about Dizon's resignation.

ABS-CBN News reached out to Dizon for comment and is awaiting his reply.

Dizon serves as the Philippines' COVID-19 testing czar and deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

As COVID-19 testing czar, he is one of four government officials assigned as point persons for key areas of the government's pandemic response efforts dubbed as T3 (Test, Track, Treat).

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Several sources told ABS-CBN News that Dizon is joining the team behind Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso's 2022 presidential bid. He also has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Duterte named Dizon as Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects. He later played a key role in the Philippines' hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

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BCDA TOUTS BILLIONS OF REVENUES UNDER DIZON

In a statement on Tuesday, the BCDA confirmed that Dizon's resignation became effective on Oct. 15 "as he takes on a more challenging role as Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response."

BCDA Director Aristotle Batuhan was appointed Officer-in-Charge, Office of the President and CEO, the agency said.

It expressed its gratitude to Dizon and touted the P48 billion worth of revenues generated under his leadership, the "highest" so far in any administration.

"[It] represents almost 40 percent of total revenues in the last 27 years,"the BCDA said.

The agency described the official as a "dedicated and tireless" leader who was responsible in overseeing several infrastructure projects of the current administration.

"In line with its mandate of helping strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building great cities, the BCDA under Dizon also remitted the highest amount to the AFP—a total of P34.2 billion, almost triple that of the previous administration and almost double the contributions from 1993 to 2010," the statement read.

Dizon previously served as consultant of then Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, and as chief of staff of the office of the late Sen. Edgardo Angara.

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