DAVAO CITY — The powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday unanimously confirmed the ad interim appointment of Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado.
During the hearing of the CA Committee on Budget and Management, Avisado reiterated that over P80 billion in congressional realignments from the 2020 national budget had been withheld by the Department of Budget Management in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to carefully vet the items.
Avisado also stressed that all government projects which shall be included in the National Expenditures Program must first secure the recommendation of the Regional Development Council.
During the deliberation, Senator Panfilo Lacson asked Avisado to “Continue what you are doing in the DBM … particularly on the national budget. He (President Rodrigo Duterte) cannot do it without your input and wise counsel. Please continue what you started.”
With Avisado sa DBM Chief, Senator Bong Go said “DBM is in good hands.”
Go cited that Avisado has been with Duterte since he was the Davao City Mayor “Napakalaking tulong ni Secretary Avisado sa pagsusulong ng mga polisiya at programang makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan.”
Duterte appointed Avisado as acting DBM Secretary in August 2019.
Avisado also served as regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the Arroyo administration, he used to served as as the co-chair of the late industrialist Jesus V. Ayala in the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI.
He was the chairperson of the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP).
In 2010, Avisado was appointed to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) as assistant secretary to then HUDCC chair and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, chair of the CA’s Committee on Budget and Management, praised Avisado for advocating transparency in the service.’
Senator Francis Tolentino said he is confident that Avisado can best serve the DBM and the country saying “He is the first-ever DBM Secretary to submit detailed reports during every Cabinet meeting, showing appropriation, allocation, disbursement and balances of each department to allow them to evaluate their performances and improve.”
Avisado thank God and Duterte for opportunity given to him to serve the country.-Editha Z. Caduaya
