Senator Imee Marcos has urged the government to prioritize the welfare of farmers and indigenous communities before moving forward with the controversial Pax Silica Project in Capas, Tarlac, warning that large-scale investments should not come at the expense of people's livelihoods.
In a press release, Marcos issued the appeal after reports emerged that authorities had begun identifying areas that would be affected by the proposed project, which is expected to cover around 1,600 hectares of land.
“Hindi sapat ang pangakong bilyong dolyar na puhunan at trabaho kung ang kapalit naman ay kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mga katutubong kapatid. Bago ang anumang investment, dapat munang tiyakin na hindi naaagrabyado ang mga taong umaasa sa lupa para mabuhay,” Marcos said.
The senator called on the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to first explain the project's actual impact to affected residents before conducting land measurements or pursuing land acquisition.
According to reports cited by Marcos, approximately 92 farmers and members of the indigenous Aeta community stand to be affected by the development, in the absence of a public consultation process.
Marcos also sought an investigation into allegations that some farmers have been told to stop cultivating their land and have allegedly experienced intimidation in connection with the project.
“Hindi maaaring unahing alisin ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka para lamang mapadali ang land conversion. Hindi dapat mawalan ng lupa ang mga nagpapakain sa bayan nang hindi man lang nabibigyan ng sapat na paliwanag at pagkakataong marinig,” she stressed.
The senator further emphasized that any proposed land conversion must comply with the provisions of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2002, which governs the legal requirements for converting agricultural land to other uses.
Marcos likewise raised concerns over the project's projected demand for water and electricity, saying the planned processing of rare earth and critical minerals could put additional strain on already limited resources in the area.
“Kung ngayon pa lang kapos na ang tubig para sa mga magsasaka at may brownout kada linggo, saan kukunin ang napakalaking suplay ng tubig at kuryente para sa Pax Silica? Konsultasyon muna bago konstruksyon,” she said.
The Pax Silica Project, which has been presented as a major industrial development expected to attract billions of dollars in investments and generate employment, has recently drawn criticism from several sectors over its potential environmental and social impacts.
