In a statement, the Malacañang said the four sites were the 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.
It said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has already inspected and assessed the four locations.
Establishing Edca sites in the four areas is seen to boost the disaster response of the country, as the locations will also be used for humanitarian and relief operations during emergencies and natural disasters but the main goal “is to defend the country’s eastern coast.”
In March this year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he talked to the local government officials who expressed apprehension in putting up Edca sites in their area and explained its importance.
The Department of National Defense said these new Edca locations would be used as storage and warehouse facilities for military logistics and not as permanent American military bases.
Edca, a supplemental agreement to the previous Visiting Forces Agreement between Philippines and the United States, allows US access to Philippine bases for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and establishment of facilities. It was established in April 2014.
At present, there are five existing Edca locations, which are located 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.
In November 2022, US Vice President Kamala Harris said the US has allocated over $82 million toward Edca implementation.
Filipino and American troops are also scheduled to hold their largest ever military exercise this April. (SunStar Philippines)