Malacañang has assured that the proposed facilities under the United States-led Pax Silica initiative will be confined to designated development areas, saying the arrangement is intended to protect Aeta communities and farmers living within the proposed project site.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was aware of concerns over the possible displacement of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and local residents as the government negotiates the proposed high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub.
“Ang lahat po ng issue na ito na talaga pong pinagtutuunan ng Pangulo at alam niya po (The President is aware of all these issues, which he is indeed closely monitoring),” Castro told Palace reporters.
She said the proposed development covers more than 6,000 hectares, but only about 3,000 hectares have been identified as the buildable zone where project structures would be placed.
“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 (Based on what we know, the structures will be placed within the buildable zone. So, if they are within the buildable zone, our fellow Filipinos, including farmers and IPs, should not be affected),” she said.
Castro added that the remaining land would be reserved for Aeta residents whose ancestral homes are within the proposed development 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 (The rest of the land will be reserved for our fellow Filipinos whose homes have long been in that area. They will not be abandoned),” she said.
She also assured residents who could be affected that the government would provide assistance and ensure they would not be left without shelter.
“Kung nandoon po sila sa buildable zone, hindi po sila pababayaan para mawalan sila ng lugar para tirahan (If they are within the buildable zone, they will not be abandoned or left without a place to live),” Castro said.
She added that financial assistance would be extended if relocation becomes necessary.
The assurances came amid concerns that at least 200 Aeta residents could be displaced by the proposed development.
Castro, however, clarified that the framework agreement for the Pax Silica initiative remains under negotiation, with the Philippine government awaiting Washington’s response to its draft proposal.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry had earlier submitted the draft framework agreement to the Office of the President.
Castro said the document would serve as a basis for negotiations and the eventual finalization of an agreement with the United States.
📷 RTVM
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