BCDA welcomes Lorenzana as new head

MANILA, Philippines — A leadership that strongly connects the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) with its stakeholders is expected of former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, now that he chairs its board of directors.

Lorenzana took his oath of office before President Marcos on July 7, effectively replacing Gregorio Garcia, the BCDA chairman appointed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In welcoming Lorenzana, the BCDA said: “This (new leadership) will forge a deeper, stronger connection between the BCDA and its key stakeholders.”

It cited his vast experience in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense as the bedrock of his competence in providing the leadership the BCDA requires.

The state-run firm said it expects Lorenzana’s guidance would best promote “the welfare of Filipino troops and effectively advance the modernization of the military.”

At the same time, the BCDA thanked Garcia for his excellent service, noting that his invaluable contribution brought the organization 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,’” the BCDA statement said.

Created under Republic Act 7227, the BCDA is a government-owned and controlled corporation which transforms former military bases into centers of economic growth and remits the largest portion of its disposition income for the AFP Modernization Program.

The BCDA reported that its total contributions to the AFP under the previous administration reached a record-high P25.01 billion.

The state-run 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.