Bato: Make US pay rent for EDCA sites

by CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has reiterated his concern on the possible mass exodus of the military and uniformed personnel amid plans to reform the MUP pension system, suggesting the United States could pay rent for using Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites to help fund the pension, which economic managers earlier warned could cause the country’s financial collapse.

“Why not ask the United States to pay for rent for sites used for the Enhanced

Defense Coordinating Agreement to fund the ballooning pension funds for the military and uniformed personnel?” Dela Rosa said.

The senator was asked whether the U.S. can be asked to just pay for using Philippine facilities under the EDCA as a possible source for MUP pensions, and he answered in the affirmative.

In an interview with dzBB radio, he noted that the provision in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) could be amended so that the U.S. could pay for the use of the facilities as rent.

“Let’s amend the provisions of the VFA;