Senator Raffy Tulfo on Friday renewed his call for the immediate passage of the proposed National Land Use Act, saying it is essential to address overlapping land claims and unregulated development as the Senate continues to scrutinize the proposed Pax Silica project in New Clark City.
The appeal comes just days after Tulfo filed proposed Senate Resolution No. 571, seeking an inquiry into the multi-billion-peso project to assess its potential environmental and community impacts, as well as whether existing legal and regulatory safeguards are sufficient.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, which he chairs, Tulfo said the project's high demand for water and energy, along with the possible displacement of indigenous peoples and farmers, underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive national land use policy.
“The time to act is now. A National Land Use Act will provide a clear framework to balance the needs of development, environmental protection, and social justice," Tulfo said.
It will empower local governments, promote sustainable investments, and safeguard the rights of the most vulnerable. Most importantly, it will pave the way for a more resilient and equitable Philippines,” he added.
The committee examined the proposed Pax Silica project, weighing its promise of high-tech industrialization against concerns over water and energy consumption, land ownership, sovereignty, and the handling of toxic waste from mineral processing. Lawmakers also pushed for the passage of the National Land Use Act to provide a clear legal framework for future large-scale developments.
The hearing likewise tackled reported environmental violations involving the Chuang Sing steel plant in Pampanga, reinforcing Tulfo's earlier warning that stronger oversight and preventive regulation are necessary to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental protection and the rights of affected communities.
