CAMP Aquino, Tarlac City – Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., and Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca visited three Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela on Tuesday, August 15.
They inspected a warehouse, command and control fusion center, and the 5th Division Training School of the 5th Infantry (Startroopers) Division.
Their visit provided them with an invaluable first-hand experience of the progress for EDCA achieved through collaborative efforts, Buca said.
Buca said: “EDCA is key to our national interests, as it modernizes our alliance with the US, enhancing our disaster preparedness and response capabilities. It also strengthens maritime domain awareness.”
The EDCA sites play a crucial role in facilitating joint operations during natural or man-made emergencies.
The urgent need to fast-track the construction of facilities within the EDCA sites is in response to the exigencies of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) requirements, officials said.