Surigao Norte lawmaker makes fresh pitch to host Edca base

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. INQUIRER file photo / VINCENT F. NONATO

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Thursday renewed his call to establish a naval facility in his home province, one that can be included in the coverage of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the United States.

Barbers made a fresh pitch following reports the defense officials were considering the setup of an Edca site inside the Phividec Industrial Authority business complex in Misamis Oriental province, also in Mindanao.

READ: Barbers appeals again for Edca site in Surigao del Norte

The 3,000-hectare Phividec estate, which houses some 200 existing business locators and spans across Tagoloan and Villanueva towns, is an economic zone registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

An Edca site inside the Phividec industrial complex would supposedly complement the military and civil defense purposes of Lumbia air base in Cagayan de Oro City, the sole Edca site in Mindanao.

Reservations

Barbers, however, expressed concerns about integrating military operations within an established economic zone.

“While I do not question the logic and wisdom behind the plan to put up an Edca naval site inside the Phividec facility, I think it would be prudent for us not to inter-mix the business complex with a military complex,” Barbers said.

While the country’s maritime disputes are centered on the West Philippine Sea, he said, Surigao del Norte would be a suitable location for a naval base on other side of the archipelago which faces the Pacific Ocean.

He cited the recent recovery of the underwater drone off the waters of Masbate, one province on the country’s eastern side where reports on the unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels had also become a security concern. —Krixia Subingsubing