MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Australia have signed a Defense Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) aimed at streamlining military coordination and disaster response, allowing Australian forces to assist the country more quickly during emergencies, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Sunday.
Teodoro said the agreement would reduce bureaucratic procedures by simplifying the coordination process, particularly in responding to disasters.
“The agreement makes us work faster. It streamlines the coordination process,” Teodoro said, explaining that the DCA would provide the mechanism for implementing the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
“At least there will no longer be a need to secure multiple permits. Everything will be streamlined into a single process so our Australian allies can respond immediately during emergencies,” he said.
The arrangement is also expected to facilitate cooperation in national defense, military hardware procurement and joint military exercises involving the two countries' air, naval and land forces.
Teodoro and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown signed the DCA on Sunday in a ceremony witnessed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The signing took place at the Eva Macapagal Cruise Terminal, Pier 15, Manila South Harbor, ahead of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
The agreement further strengthens defense cooperation between Manila and Canberra and expands coordination in military and security matters.
