The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is a collaborative agreement between the United States and the Philippines that enables both countries to increase joint training opportunities, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) capability, and rotational activities to strengthen interoperability between our armed forces.
We want to emphasize that the existing five agreed locations under EDCA and the inclusion of four new sites are facilities that the US and Philippine forces will jointly operate to facilitate and expedite the implementation of programs that will enhance our security cooperation, joint training, and HADR operation. Establishment or enhancement of existing facilities will be funded by the US Government and will be turned over to the Philippine Government after its use.
We look forward to work continuously with our allies to strengthen further our capability to save lives in times of natural disasters and defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
