Basa Air Base runway rehab completed

MANILA, Philippines — The Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga can now accommodate bigger and more powerful aircraft.

The rehabilitation of the runway, a project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and United States amounting to P1.3 billion, has been completed, Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo announced yesterday.

A dedication ceremony was held on Monday to mark the completion of the EDCA-funded project, with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and US Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Ewing leading the event.

Castillo said the ribbon cutting and blessing of the newly renovated runway were followed by a low-pass flyby of four FA-50PH fighter jets.

Castillo said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, Pacific Air Forces 7th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus and representatives from the US government, local government agencies, AFP units, project contractors and other stakeholders witnessed the ceremony.

Basa Air Base is among the original five EDCA sites identified for development by the Philippines and the US under the Mutual Defense Treaty.

The other four are Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu.

The Philippines and the US have agreed to add four more EDCA sites. These are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.