PBBM: EDCA sites to be activated for ‘Kristine’ relief efforts

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is also continuing to monitor the situation so that we will be able to activate the EDCA sites, which were put there specifically for this purpose,” Marcos told reporters. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the country would be activated for relief and rescue operations in areas affected by Tropical Storm Kristine.

Speaking to reporters after presiding over a situation briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Marcos said the EDCA sites would be used in airlifting relief goods, personnel, and equipment, especially in areas with unpassable road networks.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is also continuing to monitor the situation so that we will be able to activate the EDCA sites, which were put there specifically for this purpose,” Marcos told reporters.

Signed in 2014, the EDCA provides for Filipino and American soldiers to train together and allows the US to build facilities and preposition supplies, and equipment inside strategically located bases in the country.

There are currently nine EDCA sites across the country – the Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu; 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 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kristine was spotted 200 km. east of Casiguran, Aurora as of 11 a.m.

Massive flooding has been reported in areas in the Bicol Region, which has been reeling from Kristine’s onslaught since Tuesday.

The President also said that government personnel would be deployed as soon as possible to areas severely affected by the inclement weather.

AFP: US ready to deploy relief aircraft to EDCA sites

During the meeting, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said their American counterparts are ready to deploy their planes to the EDCA sites.

“In terms of the airlift capability, we already have alerted most of our aircraft. But yesterday (Tuesday) we also coordinated with our US counterparts, and they are ready to send in their aircraft using our EDCA sites,” he added.

Brawner added that the AFP is ready to “establish our multinational coordinating centers” to accommodate other countries willing to help in disaster response efforts.