Budget chief Avisado on medical leave after bout with COVID-19

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado will go on medical leave following a bout with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Saturday evening.

In a statement, the DBM said upon the advise of his doctor, Avisado will be on leave from Monday, August 2 to Friday, August 13, to undergo several examinations after catching COVID-19.

According to the DBM, Avisado was hospitalized for eight days and quarantined for over a month due to the virus.

The agency also noted that it has been 14 years since Avisado underwent a quadruple open heart bypass.

In his absence, DBM Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda will serve as officer-in-charge.

“Rest assured that the DBM remains steadfast and committed to its mandate of promoting the efficient and effective management of the national budget to support its budget priorities, especially in the midst of the pandemic,” the DBM said. -MDM, GMA News