Palace says Pax Silica project won't affect Tarlac farmers

Malacañang on Monday assured the public that no farmers will be displaced by the proposed Pax Silica project in New Clark City, saying the site has been designated as a "buildable zone" since 2019.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the 3,500-hectare area allotted for buildable zones includes the site identified for the Pax Silica project, while around 6,000 hectares have been reserved for green spaces, forest reserves, and planned agricultural areas.

"Since 2019 po, during the 2019 SEA Games, nagkaroon na po ng tinatawag nating buildable areas. Ito po ay allocated na since 2019. So sa lugar na ito ay dapat wala nang farmers dahil ito ay na-approve na bilang buildable zones," Castro said during a press briefing.

(Since 2019, during the 2019 SEA Games, we already identified what we call buildable areas. These have been allocated since 2019. So there should no longer be any farmers in these areas because they have already been approved as buildable zones.)

"Mayroon naman pong natitirang 6,000 hectares na reserved sa open green spaces, forest reserves, and designated zones for planned farming. So maliit lang ang maookupa nito," Castro added.

"At 3,500 hectares ang kabuuan ng buildable zones at doon po maaaring ilagay ang proyekto regarding Pax Silica."

(There are still 6,000 hectares reserved for open green spaces, forest reserves, and designated farming zones. So the project will occupy only a small portion. The total buildable area is 3,500 hectares, and that is where the Pax Silica project may be located.)

"So hindi po makakaapekto ito sa ating mga farmers (So this will not affect our farmers)," Castro said.

Pax Silica is the U.S. Department of State's flagship initiative on artificial intelligence and supply chain security, aimed at advancing a new economic security framework among allies and trusted partners.

Under the 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.

Progressive and environmental groups have raised concerns over the project's potential environmental and social impacts.

Malacañang earlier said provisions of the U.S.-led initiative could still be revised if necessary.

The Department of Justice has also said it is prepared to review the legal agreements governing the initiative.— MCG, GMA News