(Photo courtesy of BCDA)
Malacañang on Wednesday assured that the proposed facilities for the United States-led Pax Silica initiative would be constructed within designated development areas to minimize the risk of displacing Aeta communities and local farmers.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware of concerns raised over the potential impact of the proposed high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub on Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and agricultural communities.
“Ang lahat po ng issue na ito na talaga pong pinagtutuunan ng Pangulo at alam niya po,” Castro told reporters during a Palace briefing.
She explained that the project would be confined to a designated “buildable zone” to protect existing residential and agricultural areas.
“Sa ating pagkakaalam, ilalagay naman ang nasabing istraktura doon sa buildable zone. So, kung nasa buildable zone siya, wala dapat maapektuhan na ating mga kababayan, na farmers, or IPs,” Castro said.
According to Castro, the proposed development covers more than 6,000 hectares, of which approximately 3,000 hectares have been identified as suitable for construction.
She said the remaining land would be reserved for Aeta communities and other residents whose families have long occupied the area.
“Ang ibang lahat diyan na natirang lupa ay talagang nakalaan sa ating mga kababayan na ang talagang nakagisnan nilang tahanan ay ang nasabing lugar. So, hindi po sila pababayaan,” she said.
The Palace also assured residents who could potentially be affected by the development that the government would provide appropriate assistance.
Castro said families living within the designated construction zone would not be left without housing should relocation become necessary.
“Kung nandoon po sila sa buildable zone, hindi po sila pababayaan para mawalan sila ng lugar para tirahan,” she said.
She added that financial assistance would be extended to affected residents if displacement could not be avoided.
The assurances followed concerns that at least 200 Aeta residents could face displacement because of the proposed Pax Silica development.
Meanwhile, Castro clarified that the framework agreement for the initiative has yet to be finalized, with negotiations between the Philippine and US governments still ongoing.
She said the government is awaiting Washington’s response to the draft framework agreement submitted by the Philippines.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), earlier forwarded the proposed agreement to the Office of the President for review.
According to Castro, the draft will serve as the basis for further discussions and negotiations before the two countries finalize the agreement.
The Palace maintained that the proposed development would be pursued while addressing concerns over the welfare, housing and livelihoods of communities within the project area.
