WASHINGTON – The United States is working carefully with communities within the neighborhood of the EDCA websites to showcase the advantages it may present to residents within the space, a White House truth sheet mentioned.
According to the White House, this goals to “fully realize their positive value for local development and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
“To that end, the United States will expand our work in these communities and areas to support health, education, environmental protection, economic growth, and disaster preparedness,” the White House mentioned.
Malacañang had introduced 4 new EDCA websites: 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.
Existing EDCA websites are 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.
Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops entry to designated Philippine army camps and permits them to construct amenities, and pre-position tools, plane, and vessels. Permanent basing is prohibited.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has mentioned six of the 16 initiatives within the 5 preliminary EDCA areas could be accomplished this 12 months.
There had been issues about these new EDCA websites, with China saying that the US solely intends to make use of the newest websites to push for its pursuits and agenda “at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large.”
Manalo had mentioned the Philippines wouldn’t permit the US to make use of the EDCA websites for actions towards China in reference to the strain within the Taiwan Strait. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
