Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. visited Cagayan de Oro earlier today, November 30, 2024, to inspect Lumbia Air Base, one of nine agreed locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States. During his visit, he inspected the location of the approved and funded Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) warehouse. Once completed, this facility will enable the rapid deployment of essential supplies for field missions and disaster relief operations. Other approved EDCA projects are the Air Traffic Control Tower, and certain portions of the airfield’s runway.
Accompanying Secretary Teodoro were Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition and Resource Management Salvador Melchor B. Mison, Jr. and key officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led by Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr.
Secretary Teodoro emphasized the strategic importance of Lumbia as one of the country’s major operating bases to support various missions of the AFP in Mindanao.
Continued basing developments, aside from the projects under EDCA, are seen to enhance Lumbia Air Base’s operational effectiveness, enabling it to accommoadte air reserve forces and provide essential support to HADR operations during emergencies in the Mindanao Region.
EDCA provides for the joint utilization of AFP and US Forces, as well as access to agreed locations in the Philippines under the ambit of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.
with photos and text by DND Philippines
