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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez meets with US solons on expansion of joint military drills, increased funding for Philippines 

Romualdez meets with US solons on expansion of joint military drills, increased funding for Philippines 

Published Apr 17, 2024 10:09 pm

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez has kicked off on April 16, Tuesday (United States time) a crucial stateside mission to seek the expansion of joint military exercises in the Philippines, as well as an increase in the United States' (US) foreign military financing (FMF). <br><br>Romualdez is expected to make these proposals in his series of meetings with US lawmakers, including Senator William Francis Hagerty of Tennessee, Senator Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland, Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama, and others. 

IMG-e056b4fa40e2c551436019ffe60ff997-V.jpgSenator William Francis Hagerty of Tennessee (left) engages House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a dialogue. (Speaker’s office)



House Speaker Martin Romualdez has kicked off on April 16, Tuesday (United States time) a crucial stateside mission to seek the expansion of joint military exercises in the Philippines, as well as an increase in the United States' (US) foreign military financing (FMF).

Romualdez is expected to make these proposals in his series of meetings with US lawmakers, including Senator William Francis Hagerty of Tennessee, Senator Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland, Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama, and others.

Romualdez--arguably President Marcos' top ally in government--underscored the importance of expanded multilateral joint military exercises in the Philippines not only to improve its defense strategies but also to foster stronger ties with other allies, ensuring peace and stability in the region.

He cited the effectiveness of the Balikatan exercises with the US and related activities with other regional allies.

“These exercises have shown their significant importance in boosting our tactical and operational prowess. With this program, we can improve stability, security, and peace in the Asia-Pacific region and better safeguard our nation,” Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, said.

The Speaker has proposed an increase to the US foreign military financing (FMF) to the Philippines, which sits at $40 million.

“Given the strength of our alliance, the complexity of our evolving challenges, and our expanding engagements, I hope you will agree that the FMF also needs an increase,” noted Romualdez.

The FMF program provides grants for acquiring US defense equipment, services, and training. It aims to promote US national security interests by contributing to regional and global stability, strengthening military support for democratically-elected governments, and containing transnational threats, including terrorism and trafficking in narcotics, weapons, and persons.

Also among the topics discussed by Speaker Romualdez was the status of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US. This includes President Marcos' announcement of tapping four additional EDCA sites, which would bring the total locations to nine all in all.

These identified locations are Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Basa Air Base, Pampanga; Antonio Bautista Air Base, Palawan; Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base, Cebu; Lumbia Airfield, Cagayan De Oro; Naval Base Camilo Osias (NBCO), Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz (CMDC), Gamu, Isabela; Cagayan North International Airport (CNIA), Lal-lo, Cagayan; and Balabac Island, Palawan.

Romualdez apprised the US lawmakers on the state of work of all the infrastructure projects in the EDCA sites, including the initial 21 projects in the five original sites and the additional 63 infrastructure projects agreed to by both parties during the meeting of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) in September 2023.

He also expressed his “deep gratitude” to Hagerty, a Republican, and Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a Democrat, for introducing in the US Senate the Philippine Enhanced Resilience Act (PERA) of 2024. The bill seeks $500 million a year in FMF for the Philippines for 2025 through 2029, or a total of $2.5 billion in five years.

The bipartisan measure was introduced last Tuesday, April 10, a day before the trilateral summit in Washington DC of US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Marcos.

Romualdez’s meetings with US solons will conclude on April 18, Thursday.

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Martin Romualdez UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT EDCA
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