Palace: DBM chief Avisado resigns due to medical reasons

DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado —MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado has resigned from his post due to medical reasons, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Avisado’s resignation and designated Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Department of Budget and Management.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has accepted Sec. Wendel Avisado’s resignation due to medical reasons and has designated Usec. Tina Rose Marie Canda as OIC,” Roque said.

Avisado earlier went on medical leave from August 2 to 13 after he was afflicted with COVID-19 and had to undergo a series of examinations.

Avisado’s resignation couldn’t have come at a more unfortunate time as the government was scrambling to find fund sources for the cash aid to be distributed to lower- to no-income individuals affected by the reimposition of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other key areas amid the surge in coronavirus cases.

The DBM is also preparing the P5-trillion national budget for 2022, an election year.

EDV