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EDCA sites allow US, PH to respond 'more seamlessly' to shared challenges
By Nidz Godino
"In addition to five existing sites, these new locations strengthens interoperability of US and Philippine Armed Forces and allow us to respond more seamlessly together to address range of shared challenges in Indo-Pacific region, including natural and humanitarian disasters," US Department of Defense said designation of four more Philippine military facilities that may soon be accessed by US forces under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will allow two countries' armed forces to "respond more seamlessly" to challenges in Indo-Pacific region.
In statement, Pentagon said modernization projects at four new sites would be rapidly pursued.
Department of Defense will work in lockstep with Philippine Department of National Defense and Armed Forces to rapidly pursue modernization projects at these locations," it stressed.
Pentagon planned to "expand funding" for infrastructure investments on top of $82 million already allocated to existing EDCA sites.
"In addition to supporting Alliance commitments, these investments will also spur economic growth and job opportunities in their respective provinces," US defense department said.
Signed in 2014, treaty grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities and allows them to build facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft, and vessels. Permanent basing is prohibited.
Five initial EDCA locations are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.
In February, Department of National Defense (DND) announced deal gave American troops access to four more bases in strategic areas of the country, to accelerate full implementation of EDCA.
Malacañang named these proposed additions to EDCA program 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.
Palace said sites had been inspected and assessed by Philippine military.
DND said new EDCA locations would allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. also said government already reached out to local government units that have expressed concerns about having EDCA sites in their localities.
Last month, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson announced US earmarked over $80 million in funding for several projects at EDCA sites. Among these is $24-million airstrip extension and rehabilitation project at Basa Airbase in Floridablanca, Pampanga, officials from both countries broke ground on March 20, 2023.
US defense department was "committed to ensuring its activities around EDCA sites are responsive to needs and priorities of local communities, and we will continue to consult closely with Philippines on new opportunities that serve our shared interests."
" United States and Philippines have stood shoulder-to-shoulder as friends and allies for more than seven decades, unwavering in our treaty commitments and our shared vision for more peaceful, secure, and prosperous region, strides we are making to expand EDCA and modernize alliance will ensure vision endures far into the future" it concludedd.
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