OFFICIALS of Surigao del Norte have invited the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Armed Forces to inspect the province for possible consideration as a base for defensive and humanitarian purposes under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the province’s deep waters, which face the Pacific Ocean, can accommodate huge US naval ships.

“The ships can traverse the country from east to west and vice versa without needing to circle around. This is a very strategic advantage. Military presence will discourage any hostile activity and even posturing by foreign forces, both civilian and otherwise,” Representative Barbers said.

His brother and provincial governor, Lyndon Barbers, said that setting up an EDCA base would benefit not only the province but the whole eastern region of the Visayas and Mindanao, especially during calamities.

“In times of calamities, aid can be delivered fast and wide. Immediate assistance and relief will prevent the loss of countless lives and massive damage. Remember that our region is always under threat from nature’s wrath, be it super typhoons or strong earthquakes,” the governor said.

Representative Barbers also noted that their constituents will “warmly welcome” the Americans, whom he described as a long-time friend and ally, adding that the establishment of an EDCA site will lead to economic prosperity in the region.

“The mere presence of our armed forces and our allies will greatly enhance our confidence-building measures. Our fisherfolk will have nothing to worry about being driven away by hostile forces within our own territory,” the lawmaker added.

There are currently five EDCA sites in the country: Antonio Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, and the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro.

The four new sites are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo AirM port in Cagayan.

These sites seek to “strengthen the interoperability of the US and Philippine armed forces and allow for a seamless response to a range of shared challenges in the IndoPacific region, including natural and humanitarian disasters,” according to US and Philippine officials.

Signed in 2014, the EDCA allows American troops and their Filipino counterparts to train together, reM spond to natural and humanitarian crises, and defend each other in an attack by hostile forces.

The agreement also provides that the Philippines retains sovM ereignty over the EDCA locations.