THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has welcomed the appointment of former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as the new chairman of its Board of Directors.
Lorenzana took his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, July 7.
He replaced Gregorio D. Garcia, an appointee of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
BCDA said with his vast experience serving the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense, Lorenzana will provide the leadership and guidance to promote the welfare of Filipino troops and effectively advance the modernization of the military.
According to the agency, this will forge a deeper, stronger connection between the BCDA and its stakeholders.
The BCDA thanked Garcia for his excellent service. "His invaluable contribution brought the BCDA to greater heights in the past six years. He breathed life into BCDA’s mantra of helping strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building great cities.”
Created under Republic Act 7227, the BCDA is a government-owned and -controlled corporation that transforms former military bases into centers of economic growth. It remits the largest portion of its disposition income for the AFP Modernization Program.
BCDA’s total contributions to the AFP under the previous administration reached a record-high of Php 25.01 billion.
The state firm also made significant strides under the Build Build Build program, with the completion of world-class infrastructure projects, including the first phase of the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City, and the opening of the Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal Building.