The United States government has donated emergency relief supplies to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site.
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington's move is part of its efforts to strengthen the Philippines' disaster preparedness.
US Ambassador in Manila MaryKay Carlson handed over the emergency relief supplies to Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.
Supplies included emergency shelter-grade tarpaulins; shelter repair tools such as handsaws, shovels, ropes, hammers, and nails; and kitchen sets, including pots, pans, bowls, plates, and utensils.
The supplies, which can support at least 10,000 people, will be stored at the OCD warehouse in Fort Magsaysay to facilitate the Philippine government’s rapid delivery of life-saving assistance.
"Today’s donation demonstrates how EDCA sites like Fort Magsaysay strengthen the Philippines’ humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness efforts," Carlson said.
"The US government remains committed to supporting the Philippines as it builds its national and local capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters," she added.
The United States is helping the Philippines in its disaster response efforts through bolstering its community-based disaster risk reduction, providing disaster response training, and strengthening collaboration between Philippine and US civilian, military and humanitarian agencies.
Since 2010, the US government, through USAID, has provided nearly P19.6 billion ($344 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity across the country.