This will allow Bautista, who has led the DOTr since mid-2022, “to give attention to his health.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has accepted his resignation. He will be replaced by former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) head Vince Dizon.
'Most challenging' stint
“Sec. Bautista thanked the President for the opportunity to work in government, which Bautista considered his most challenging stint,” the DOTr said.
“He also called his first government post most enriching, having served with utmost integrity,” it added.
During his tenure, Bautista oversaw the continued implementation of major infrastructure projects such as the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway.
He also presided over the landmark privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s aging gateway, paving the way for needed upgrades.
Infrastructure legacy
Bautista, the former longtime president of Philippine Airlines, stayed busy in the final weeks before deciding to step down.
It was also during his tenure that the DOTr helped clear roadblocks to a key public transport terminal in Taguig, which had been on hold for almost a decade.
Bautista, alongside stakeholders such as Ayala Land Inc. and San Miguel Corp., led the groundbreaking of the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange last Feb. 3.
“Sec. Bautista looks forward to a smooth transition, after which a much-needed vacation to recuperate from two and a half years of intense public service,” the DOTr statement added.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
