Faster devt of EDCA sites pushed
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday emphasized the need to speed up the upgrading of military bases covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, saying the improvements would strengthen both operational readiness and national security. Teodoro offered this assessment when he and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the EDCA site at Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday to evaluate infrastructure development and capabilities. The site, one of the original five designated under EDCA, plays a critical role in bolstering humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations. The visit highlighted the Philippine government's commitment to enhancing its disaster response capabilities through collaboration with the United States, Teodoro said. Brawner echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism that more facilities would be operational next year to support joint training and disaster relief efforts. Lumbia Air Base, operated by the Philippine Air Force, serves as a hub for various aircraft and is pivotal for positioning equipment for emergencies. Recent upgrades at the site include new aprons, enhanced runway markings and storage facilities. These developments aim to ensure faster deployment of resources during crises, as demonstrated in recent typhoon responses. Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities and allows them to build facilities and preposition equipment, aircraft and vessels. In February 2023, the Philippines and the US agreed to designate four additional sites in strategic areas of the country to accelerate the full implementation of the EDCA. The new EDCA sites are 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. The five original EDCA sites were 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.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday emphasized the need to speed up the upgrading of military bases covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, saying the improvements would strengthen both operational readiness and national security.
Teodoro offered this assessment when he and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the EDCA site at Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday to evaluate infrastructure development and capabilities.
The site, one of the original five designated under EDCA, plays a critical role in bolstering humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.
The visit highlighted the Philippine government's commitment to enhancing its disaster response capabilities through collaboration with the United States, Teodoro said.
Brawner echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism that more facilities would be operational next year to support joint training and disaster relief efforts.
Lumbia Air Base, operated by the Philippine Air Force, serves as a hub for various aircraft and is pivotal for positioning equipment for emergencies.
Recent upgrades at the site include new aprons, enhanced runway markings and storage facilities. These developments aim to ensure faster deployment of resources during crises, as demonstrated in recent typhoon responses.
Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities and allows them to build facilities and preposition equipment, aircraft and vessels.
In February 2023, the Philippines and the US agreed to designate four additional sites in strategic areas of the country to accelerate the full implementation of the EDCA.
The new EDCA sites are 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.
The five original EDCA sites were 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.
