EDCA PROJECT. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (4th from right) and US Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines Robert Ewing (3rd from left) lead the ribbon cutting and blessing of the rehabilitated runway of the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on Monday (Nov. 6, 2023). This is the largest Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) project between the Philippines and the United States which amounts to over PHP1.3 billion. (Photo courtesy of the PAF)
MANILA – The Philippines and the United States on Monday held a dedication ceremony to mark the completion of the rehabilitation of the runway of the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
This is the largest Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) project between Manila and Washington DC which amounts to over PHP1.3 billion, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said in a statement.
"After less than a year of rehabilitation, with reinforced pavement and improved structural integrity, the runway is now ready to accommodate larger and heavier aircraft, such as the PAF's cargo planes," the statement further said.
The improved runway ensures safer conditions for training and operations of aircraft, especially during response to emergencies and calamities.
The ribbon cutting and blessing of the runway were followed by a low-pass flyby of four FA-50PH aircraft.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and US Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines Robert Ewing led the ceremony.
Also present were Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.; PAF chief Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño; and Lt. Gen. Scott L. Pleus, commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, and other representatives from the United States government, local government agencies, different branches of the AFP, project contractors, and other stakeholders.
EDCA sites to make PH more 'resilient'
As this developed, Teodoro said EDCA sites would make the country's defense more "resilient" and "robust".
"The Philippine government together with the United States government as our treaty partner and other governments are helping to make Philippine defense resilient and robust, because the protection of the Philippines as a structural and integral political entity in the world means the propagation of rules-based international orders and norms," Teodoro said when asked how EDCA facilities will help the country.
Teodoro also said having these EDCA sites will allow "freedom of navigation for a host of other nations in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.”
"It means the establishment and advocacy of international law for the whole world and that's why a resilient Philippines is a value proposition as I keep on repeating to the whole world so the United States in helping the Philippine government in hardening its defensive posture to include its assertion of its legitimate rights in the West Philippine like other countries," he added. (PNA)
