Enhanced Development Agreement

The Enhanced Defense Agreement (EDCA) is an agreement between the Philippines and the United States which is envisioned to advance the implementation of the Philippines – United States Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). The EDCA is designed to promote between the Philippines and its defense treaty alley the United States the following are Interoperability meaning to work with or use the parts or equipment of another system (Merriam-Webster), Capacity building towards AFP modernization, Strengthening AFP for external defense, Maritime Security, Maritime Domain Awareness, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response. The Philippines envisioned defense cooperation with the United States by strengthening its capabilities for external and territorial defense by continuing to work with its treaty ally in a mutually beneficial way in line with what is allowed by the Philippine Constitution. Accordingly, EDCA ensures that the national interests are protected and the following principles are being observed, there is a  strict compliance with the Philippine Constitution, laws and jurisprudence; utmost respect for Philippine sovereignty; requirement for Philippine consent for all activities; no permanent presence or base by US troops in the Philippines; full Philippine control over facilities to be used; mutuality of benefits; non-exclusivity of use of the designated areas for US armed forces; enhancement of AFP capabilities through joint training exercises; prohibition of nuclear weapons; and US commitment for long-term AFP capability build up. (dfa.gov.ph)

Through EDCA, the Philippines will cooperate with its defense treaty ally in further strengthening respective individual and collective defense capabilities. Our country will be empowered and equipped since we do not have military capabilities.  The EDCA relate to the Mutual Defense Treaty because it obligated the Philippines and United States to maintain and develop their individual and collective defense capabilities. That even though EDCA is in the ambit of the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, the new agreement on enhanced defense cooperation is derived from our defense alliance with the United States, and with that the need to articulate the parameters, modalities and mechanisms to a greater degree was considered. It is more important that both parties (PH-US) come up with an Agreement that would be fully and mutually acceptable to both sides and consistent with their respective laws.

Let us all look at the benefits of EDCA to our country and even to other countries and the possible outcome in the contribution towards peace and stability.  As long as EDCA does not violate any provisions of the Philippine Constitution, laws and jurisprudence we should support EDCA for us to become a stronger country in the future.