No conversion applications yet related to Pax Silica hub —DAR

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said on Thursday it has yet to receive any conversion applications related to the controversial Pax Silica hub in New Clark City in Tarlac.

During the House deliberations on DAR's proposed P16.935 billion budget for 2027, Gabriela Women's Party-list Representative Sarah Elago asked the agency if it has issued any conversion order in connection to the project.

"Ang sabi ng BCDA, ang proposed Pax Silica ay nasa humigit kumulang na 4,000 acres or nasa 1,619 hectares sa New Clark City. Sabi naman ng Capaz Municipal government, over 30% ng land area ay considered productive agricultural land. Alam po ba ito ng DAR? At nag-issue po ba ang DAR ng mga conversion order na kaugnay ng proyektong ito?" she asked.

(According to BCDA, the proposed Pax Silica covers approximately 4,000 acres or around 1,619 hectares in New Clark City. Meanwhile, the Capas Municipal Government states that over 30% of that land area is considered productive agricultural land. Is DAR aware of this? And has DAR issued any conversion orders in connection with this project?)

In response, DAR Undersecretary Napoleon Galit said: "Patungkol po sa Pax Silica, ang masasabi ko po sa inyo, wala pa pong naga-apply dito ng kahit anong entities para mag-apply ng conversion tungkol diyan."

(Regarding Pax Silica, what I can tell you is that no entity has applied for any conversion related to that yet.)

Under the Pax Silica initiative, the Philippines and the United States are working to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub envisioned as a model for AI-focused investment within the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The Palace earlier said that no farmers will be displaced, and that while the 3,500-hectare area allotted for buildable zones includes the site identified for the Pax Silica project, around 6,000 hectares have been reserved for green spaces, forest reserves, and planned agricultural areas.

For its part, DAR said that it will protect agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who could be affected by the project.

"Ang amin pong pinoproteksyon na binibigay sa ARBs, kung saka-sakaling dumating sa punto na yung mga lupa na nasasakop nila at may CLOA at tatamaan ng expropriation, we will definitely contest the validity of the exercise of the power of eminent domain by Pax Silica or even the BCDA to that effect," said Galit.

(The protection we are providing to ARBs—if it comes to the point where the lands they cover under CLOAs are affected by expropriation—is that we will definitely contest the validity of the exercise of the power of eminent domain by Pax Silica or even the BCDA to that effect.)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier confirmed that no environmental impact assessment (EIA) had yet been processed for the proposed hub in New Clark City.

Progressive and environmental groups have raised concerns over the project’s potential environmental and social impacts. — BM, GMA News