
The rehabilitation of the 2.8-kilometer runway at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga has been completed, allowing it to accommodate bigger and heavier aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and United States Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines Robert Ewing led the dedication ceremony for the completion of the Basa Air Base runway on Monday, Nov. 6.
The runway rehabilitation is by far the largest project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) project between the Philippines and United States which amounts to over P1.3 billion. It was funded by the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
"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," PAF spokesperson Co. Ma Consuelo Castillo said on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
"Further, the improved runway ensures safer conditions for training and operations of aircraft, especially during response to emergencies and calamities," she added.
In September, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Armed Forces have agreed to expedite the completion of 63 EDCA projects identified this year, aside from the 32 projects previously allocated by both militaries.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees witnessed a low-pass flyby of four FA-50PH aircraft.
The event was also attended by AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño; US Pacific Air Forces 7th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus; and other representatives from the US government, local government agencies, different branches of the AFP, project contractors, and other stakeholders.