Malacañang on Monday announced four new "suitable and mutually beneficial" locations for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
In a news release, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that the four locations are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz, Isabela; and Balabac Island, Palawan.
These areas have already been inspected and eveluated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
According to the Palace, the four locations will help the country's disaster response by being used for humanitarian and relief operations during emergencies and natural disasters.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced in March that Filipino and American officials had reached an agreement on four new sites, the primary goal of which is to defend the country's eastern coast.
In February, Marcos granted US troops access to four additional Philippine military camps, in addition to the five already authorized under the EDCA.
The five are Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga's Basa Air Base, Palawan's Antonio Bautista Air Base, Cebu's Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base, and Cagayan de Oro City's Lumbia Air Base.
To overcome opposition from some local government units (LGUs) that were unwilling to host US forces and equipment, Marcos met with local officials and explained the significance of the EDCA sites in their jurisdictions.
Carlito Galvez Jr., chief of the Department of National Defense (DND), expressed gratitude to the President for granting him authority to announce the four new EDCA sites.
Galvez also stated that their American counterparts have been anticipating the announcement in order for their Congress to allocate the necessary budget.
