The Philippines and the United States agreed to designate four new locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The Philippines and the US have agreed on four new local bases in the country where American troops will be allowed to build facilities and preposition defense assets, nearly nine years after both countries signed the EDCA.

Although 4 additional sites have been designated, they refused to identify the new locations. The designation of 4 additional bases will bring the number of EDCA bases to 9.

According to US Defense Sec. Llyod Austin III, I’m pleased to announce today that President Marcos has approved 4 new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement locations, bringing the total number of these sites to 9. EDCA allows our forces to operate together more efficiently from key sites across the Philippines.

Galvez declines to give specifics on 4 new EDCA locations and explains coordination with LGUs is still ongoing. “The areas identified are vulnerable to the effects of climate change… We will finish the identification soonest.”

“We have agreed that the statement of the sites will be concluded once we have already made collaboration also with local communities. When we make an announcement, we need the local government, governors, and local communities to be consulted,” Galvez said.

“We also wanted to see these agreements of the four EDCA sites will be finished soon. Considering we are making some inspection on how we will do things, particularly that their areas identified are very vulnerable to climate change,” he added. 

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