Washington, D.C. – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed that President Joe Biden has proposed a $128 million congressional allocation to support projects at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines. This announcement was made during a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington, D.C. Austin emphasized the commitment to bolstering the alliance with the Philippines.
The proposal aims to fund 36 projects that will expand the scope of the defense cooperation agreement, representing a substantial increase in investment for the EDCA infrastructure. Austin highlighted that this budget request seeks to enhance the size of the defense cooperation agreement, doubling the amount invested in EDCA infrastructure.
Furthermore, Austin reiterated Biden’s dedication to defending the Philippines, affirming that any armed attack against Philippine public vessels, aircraft, armed forces, and coastguard would trigger the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Under this treaty, the US is obligated to defend its ally in case of aggression.
Signed in 2014, the EDCA allows US military personnel to engage in joint training with local troops and build and operate facilities within Philippine military bases. It does not, however, permit the establishment of permanent US military bases in the Philippines. The EDCA also enables the US to preposition supplies and equipment in the country for strategic purposes.
In 2016, both countries identified five initial sites for constructing facilities and prepositioning equipment under the EDCA. These sites align with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Strategic Basing Plan to support AFP basing and development.
