EDCA sites for disaster relief: Expanded national security coverage

In the wake of the recent typhoons that battered the Philippines, the rapid delivery of relief goods via strategically located Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites stands out as a vital demonstration of the evolving concept of national security.

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What was once viewed largely through a military lens has broadened to encompass disaster preparedness and response, or what is now increasingly recognized as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR).

The activation of EDCA sites in the transport of food packs, medical supplies, and emergency equipment underscores their crucial role beyond defense posturing. The use of Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan for North Luzon, Basa Air Base in Pampanga for Central Luzon, and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu for the Visayas exemplifies how geography, infrastructure, and logistics converge to save lives and hasten recovery efforts.