MANILA, Philippines – Environmental and farmers' groups have raised fresh concerns over the proposed Pax Silica project in New Clark City, warning that thousands of Aeta residents and farming families could be displaced, while Malacañang insists the development will not affect legitimate agricultural communities.
Kalikasan National Coordinator Cathleen De Guzman said the project could result in the long-term displacement of around 20,000 Aeta residents and farmers living around the proposed development site in Capas, Tarlac.
The groups argued that many of the affected families have lived and farmed on the outskirts of New Clark City for generations despite lacking formal land titles, making them vulnerable to eviction.
Residents of Barangay Sta. Lucia also said they were not consulted before receiving a one-month eviction notice from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in May.
“Sabi po nila abandoned area lahat ito, walang nakatira,” Barangay Sta. Lucia, Capas Barangay Captain Cesario David Bautista Jr. said in an interview with Jessica Soho. “Pero mayroon kaming komunidad, mayroon kaming eskwela, simbahan, lahat mayroon kami rito.”
Bautista also appealed for authorities to respect the rights of indigenous peoples, while farmers urged the government to preserve agricultural land that supports both their livelihoods and the country's food security.
Several farmers also claimed BCDA had offered to purchase their land for only ₱30 per square meter, prompting calls for compensation that reflects the property's value.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos maintained that farming communities had occupied the area long before BCDA and the proposed AI hub.
“Bago pa dumating ang mga Amerikano sa Clark, at ’yang BCDA at ’yang Pax Silica, matagal nang naninirahan sa lugar na ’yan ang mga magsasaka,” Ramos said. “Ang unang may karapatan ay ang magsasaka.”
Palace disputes displacement claims
Malacañang, however, rejected claims that the project would displace farmers, saying the proposed AI and advanced manufacturing hub will rise within a designated 3,500-hectare buildable zone identified as early as 2019 during preparations for the Southeast Asian Games.
“So, sa lugar na ito ay dapat wala nang farmers dahil ito po nga ay na-approve na bilang buildable zones,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
Castro said the government has also reserved about 6,000 hectares for forests, open green spaces, and upland farming, maintaining that the project will not affect agricultural communities.
“So, hindi po makakaapekto ito sa ating mga farmers,” she added.
Concerns extend beyond relocation
The AGHAM scientists' group also questioned the project's projected energy and water requirements, arguing that AI-related facilities would require massive and uninterrupted electricity while large-scale surface water harvesting could affect groundwater recharge and downstream farming communities.
Pax Silica is a United States-led initiative to strengthen global supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals, with the Philippines designating New Clark City as the site of a proposed AI and advanced manufacturing hub expected to attract up to $70 billion in investments and create as many as 190,000 high-quality jobs.
— The Summit Express
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