DRILLS AT THE DUNES: American troops participating in the “Balikatan” war games between the Philippines and the United States fire their howitzers toward an imaginary enemy approaching from the West Philippine Sea during the Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise at La Paz dunes in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, on Monday. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites in the Philippines will remain unaffected by US President Donald Trump’s broad freeze on foreign aid to most countries, according to Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega.
“No, it’s not part of that aid package. They will not suddenly abandon the Edca sites,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official clarified during a weekend news forum.
Article continues after this advertisement“In one sentence: They know the importance of Edca for the interest[s] of both the United States and the Philippines. Again, I repeat, they know the importance,” De Vega added.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION 24 Filipinos in US deported for crimes GLOBALNATION Flights for US-bound Afghan refugees suspended GLOBALNATION BI nabs Chinese over canceled visaREAD: Edca sites ‘unlikely’ to be affected by US aid freeze, says DFA
The Edca, established in 2014, allows the United States to rotate troops through Philippine bases and preposition defense assets to enhance regional security.
Article continues after this advertisementThe US aid freeze order sent out in an internal memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week paused virtually all foreign aid pending a review.
Article continues after this advertisementDe Vega allayed fears that it would severely impact the Philippines, as the country had “many economic partners.”
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Integrated Sciences Carlos Primo David during a forum organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said the DENR rolled out a digital application process in three regions of the country.
jackpot crushPhilex Mining president and CEO Eulalio Austin Jr. said they have an application to explore a nickel tenement adjacent to the firm’s site in Zambales.
“While the US involvement in our economy as a trading partner is still very high, I think even with the freeze, it’s not like it’s going to severely affect us because the aid packages are really small at the moment,” De Vega said.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
