Enhanced Edca sites for logistical support eyed
This photo shows an aerial view of Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan province, northern Philippines on August 3, 2023. The Lal-lo Airport is one of the additional sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between the Philippines and the United States. (AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced on Friday a plan to improve Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites in the country for logistical support.
Teodoro made the pronouncement after he was asked how many more Edca sites should they consider establishing in the country.
“On the Edca sites, as I stated earlier, they will remain as such, and enhanced development will be taken care of,” Teodoro said in a press conference with United States Defense chief Pete Hegseth on Friday.
Edca is the 2014 agreement between Manila and Washington that permits US troops to construct and operate facilities on designated Philippine bases / sites, as well as to rotate and stay in the country for extended periods.
To support deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, Teodoro bared plans to hasten their capability upgrades and logistical support facilities.
“And deterrence comes also with synergy with humanitarian assistance and disaster response because natural calamities hit us the hardest at this time, particularly in the Philippines which is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. We will enhance our current health conditions and we will make improvements,” Teodoro said.
“Minor duties are Philippine bases of which we have to invest in. We will enhance them for logistical support,” he added.
There are five military installations designated as Edca sites — Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro.
Malacañang named four new Edca sites in April 2023.
These are Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana town and Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town, both in Cagayan province; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela province and Balabac in Palawan.
