The United States (US) has pledged USD1 million in humanitarian funding to the Philippines after a series of typhoons battered parts of the archipelago.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III made the announcement Monday in a courtesy call to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

Austin offered the US’ condolences to the victims of the six typhoons in the Philippines, which all hit the country within weeks.

He assured that the US, as the Philippines’ longstanding ally, is ready to assist Filipinos.

“I have authorized US troops and all the Philippine forces to provide life-saving aid to the Filipino people. The US have also secured another million dollar in urgent humanitarian aid and that will enhance the work of the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and the World Food Programme,” he said.

Austin is in Manila for the signing of an agreement which will serve as a framework to facilitate the exchange of classified military information between the Philippines and the US.

Marcos said the new General Security and Military Information Agreement is a “very important step in continued interoperability” of the two allied militaries.

The President likewise cited the importance of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the disaster response capabilities of the government, particularly in prepositioning relief goods, personnel and equipment, as well as in rescue operations.

“It has become really useful in the face of these uncertain times,” he said.

Signed in 2014, the EDCA provides for Filipino and American soldiers to train together and allows the US to build facilities and preposition supplies and equipment inside strategically located bases in the country.

There are currently nine EDCA sites across the country – Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu; Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan. (PNA)