THE Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the designation of four areas as additional sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States (US).
In a joint statement, the DND and AFP said the establishing EDCA sites in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and Balabac Island in Palawan will further boost the country’s capabilities to protect the its national interests as well as contribute to collective defense in the region and respond effectively to future security challenges including disasters, humanitarian assistance and climate change.
"Aside from enhancing our posturing of forces to address both external and internal security threats and challenges, we expect the construction of facilities and infrastructure upgrades to further help us ensure the welfare of our people," Defense secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
"Our Armed Forces' strengthened presence in the new locations, especially along our eastern and western seaboards, will enable our troops to quickly respond to distress calls, and protect our fishermen's rights and livelihood to fish in our waters," he added.
Galvez said EDCA projects are also seen to benefit the Philippines economically through the provision of jobs and other economic opportunities in the construction activities in the Agreed Locations and procurement of local goods and supplies by the US military and personnel.
The EDCA, which was established in 2014, is a supplemental agreement to the previous Visiting Forces Agreement between Philippines and the US allowing American troops to access Philippine bases for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and establishment of facilities.
Currently, there were five existing EDCA locations which were in Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu. (SunStar Philippines)