By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Monday assured the public that the proposed 1,620-hectare Pax Silica project will protect the country’s national interests, the environment and host communities amid concerns over foreign influence, water resources and possible displacement of residents.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring that any agreement entered into by the government complies with existing laws.
“Sinisigurado po ng Pangulo na lahat po ng gagawin ay naaayon sa batas at hindi po maaaring makasira ito ng ating environment o maka-displace man ng ating mga kababayan nang walang anumang kapalit,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.
Pax Silica is a US-led coalition of 14 countries that seeks to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals. The Philippines has designated a site in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac as the proposed location of an AI and advanced manufacturing hub under the initiative.
The project has drawn support for its potential to attract investments and high-value industries, but has also raised concerns among some groups over environmental protection, water resources, land rights and the possible displacement of communities.
Castro said the Palace sought clarification from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) following concerns circulating on social media regarding the project’s water requirements.
Quoting NWRB, Castro said available water sources within the project area are sufficient to meet the proposed facility’s demand without affecting the supply for surrounding communities.
She said the NWRB assured that community water needs would remain the top priority and that water resource allocation would be jointly monitored by the agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to ensure sustainable and environmentally responsible use.
Castro also said the DENR would require an Environmental Impact Statement and an Environmental Management Plan before project implementation.
She added that the Environmental Management Bureau and Multipartite Monitoring Teams would regularly monitor compliance with environmental regulations to ensure the project adheres to strict environmental standards from mining to manufacturing.
Asked about concerns over possible foreign control of the project, Castro cited the President’s longstanding position on protecting Philippine sovereignty.
“Sinabi naman din po ng Pangulo noon na we will not surrender even a square inch of our territory to any foreign power. So, sa lahat naman po ito hindi lang sa isang bansa, sa lahat po ito,” she said.
On reports that farmers could be displaced by the planned development, Castro said the administration would ensure affected residents would not lose their livelihoods should relocation become necessary.
“Alam po natin na ang puso ng Pangulo ay nasa mga magsasaka… Kung mayroon man na madi-displace na mga farmers sisiguraduhin po ng gobyerno na hindi po sila mawawalan ng kanilang pagkakakitaan… Pero sa ngayon po ay wala pa pong nakikita pong ganiyan,” she said.
