CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Anticipating a localized economic shift due to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), City Council Majority Floor Leader Edgardo Cabanlas is pushing to preemptively ban commercial bars near the Lumbia Air Base to prevent the social ills historically associated with foreign military presence.
During Monday's regular session, Cabanlas warned the council against replicating the highly commercialized, and often problematic, nightlife districts seen in areas like Olongapo.
“Dili ko gusto mahitabo sa Olongapo nga just across the military base naay mga bars… kung naa nay bars, diha na magkagubot,” Cabanlas said, emphasizing that such developments inevitably attract crime and exploitation.
The Philippine government designated Lumbia Air Base as one of several sites to host United States military personnel and equipment under EDCA.
In his privilege speech, Cabanlas called for an urgent dialogue between the city council and U.S. military representatives to clarify the exact scope of their local operations. He specifically raised concerns over criminal jurisdiction, noting that past national incidents involving foreign troops exposed the limitations of local prosecution.
He warned that allowing a nightlife district to sprout near the base carries heavy risks, particularly for vulnerable sectors.
“Even in Japan nga naay mga Amerikano… naay mga crimes ilabi na against women,” he said.
Going a step further, Cabanlas even floated the idea of relocating the air base entirely to free up the Lumbia plateau for pure economic and commercial development.
Community divided on economic vs. social impact
Residents and local stakeholders remain split on how the city should handle the impending influx of foreign personnel.
James Casino, a Lumbia-based entrepreneur, acknowledged the lucrative potential but urged caution.
“Okay mana kay negosyo man, but the city should strictly monitor the establishments… to prevent crimes and legal complications,” he said.
A local entertainer, requesting anonymity, suggested that the city could avoid total bans by setting strict operational boundaries.
“Okay raman ang clean fun, pero dili nang naay lain intention… i-monitor lang gyud sa city,” she said.
Meanwhile, former Regional Development Council official Ray Talimeo Jr. dismissed Cabanlas's suggestion to relocate the air base as logistically unfeasible.
