The United States has pledged US$100 million or over P5.5 billion for the acquisition of medium-lift helicopters for catastrophe response and non-combat operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Defense division officer in cost Carlito Galvez has mentioned.
In an announcement, Galvez mentioned the US has additionally elevated to US$100 million the funding for the Philippine navy amenities which the US forces might entry below the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
“I am also pleased to share the US pledge of $100 million or P5.5-billion modernization assistance in this regard, which will be utilized for the acquisition of HADR-configured medium-lift helicopters for the disaster response and non-combat operations of our Armed Forces,” Galvez mentioned in an announcement.
“The US has also increased the funding for the development of the EDCA sites from $82 million to $100 million, which is equivalent to another P5.5 billion. This brings the total of the US’s pledge of support for the HADR helicopters and EDCA projects to P11 billion,” he added.
Galvez mentioned the assorted tasks on the EDCA websites, principally for the warehousing and storage of humanitarian help and catastrophe response-related materials, are scheduled for completion by the tip of 2023.
There are at current 5 EDCA areas. They the 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.
Philippine and US officers in early April introduced the designation of 4 extra EDCA websites: 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.
“As part of our efforts to prepare to respond to contingencies, the four additional EDCA sites are expected to serve as points for the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers in the event of a flare-up in the region’s flashpoints,” Galvez mentioned.
“Our defense attachés have been working and coordinating with their host countries on possible repatriation operations, which can be undertaken with our US allies, should the need arise,” he added.
Galvez mentioned the naval bases in Balabac and in Camilo Osias are “to strengthen the maritime domain awareness and security, serving as stations and shelters for the radar local monitoring systems.”
“These will also be a new asset, such as the Navy’s offshore patrol vessels and corvettes which are now under construction, as well as the future multirole fighters for the Air Force,” Galvez mentioned.
Galvez mentioned the deployment and the modernization of the AFP by the EDCA “shall boost our territorial defense capabilities and will enable our fisherfolk to freely pursue their livelihood in our waters.”
On Wednesday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chief Enrique Manalo mentioned six of the 16 tasks within the 5 preliminary EDCA areas could be accomplished this 12 months.
In 2014, the EDCA was signed to grant US troops entry to designated Philippine navy amenities, permitting them to construct amenities, and pre-position tools, plane, and vessels. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
