Edca runway rehabilitation kicks off in Pampanga

Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. assisted by the Philippine Air Force acting commanding general Ramon Guiang fills the time capsule with documents during the groundbreaking ceremony at Basa Air Base on Monday. Photo from the Philippine Air Force.

PAMPANGA, Philippines — The runway rehabilitation in Basa Air Base here in Floridablanca town kicked off on Monday under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) project.

Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and other Philippine and US officials attended the ground-breaking ceremony.

In his speech, Galvez said that the rehabilitation of the 2,800-meter of runway would cost $25 million or P1.37 billion.

Expected to be finished in September this year, the runway’s rehabilitation includes the runway’s asphalting and repair of the runway overruns, according to the official.

“This project would make Basa Air Base ideal for the efficient conduct of joint task force exercises and as a natural hub for HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster response) operations, especially that we are a disaster-prone country,” Galvez said.

Aside from Galvez, the ceremony, which commenced with laying of a time capsule at the site, was also attended by US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III and US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson.

Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for the Office of American Affairs Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga and Philippine Air Force acting commanding general MGen Ramon Guiang also attended the ceremony.

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