By Gabriela Baron
Residents from Cagayan held a peace vigil to voice their concern against the establishment of additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the province.
Over 5,000 Cagayanos troop to the Rizal Park in Tuguegarao City on April 17 to oppose the two EDCA sites that will be built in Cagayan.
Among those who joined the prayer rally were from the sectors of agriculture, women, education, and youth, as well as civil society organizations and religious groups.
Mayors from the different towns in the province were also present including Camalaniugan Mayor Isidro Cabaddu, Tuao Mayor Francisco Mamba Jr., Enrile Mayor Miguel Decena Jr., Piat Mayor Carmelo Villacete, and Sta. Ana Mayor Nelson Robinion.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba expressed gratitude to those who joined the rally. This, as he also hoped the national government will be able to heed the residents’ call.
“Ang ating panawagan ng patuloy na kapayapaan sa Cagayan, sa anti-war prayer rally o ang rally for peace, ang rally laban sa additional EDCA sites sa Cagayan,” Mamba said during the event.
“Sana nakikita ng national nakikita ng national government ang damdamin ng mga Cagayano dahil walang pasabi o konsultasyon sa Cagayan ang pagkakaroon ng EDCA sites dito sa ating probinsiya,” Mamba added.
Two EDCA sites will be built in Sta. Ana which will be called the Naval Base Camp Oasis and in Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan.
Two more locations will also be established in Gamu, Isabela and Balabac Island, Palawan.
READ MORE: Palace names 4 new EDCA sites
President Ferdinand R. Marcos earlier said that the additional EDCA sites are “seen to boost the disaster response of the country.”
Marcos also said that the sites will be used for humanitarian and relief operations during emergencies and natural disasters in the country.
There are currently five EDCA sites in the country, including Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro. -ag