Residents, Indigenous Peoples displaced by Pax Silica project to receive housing and financial aid
Key Takeaways
- •The Philippine government committed to providing relocation and financial assistance to residents and Indigenous Peoples potentially displaced by the Pax Silica project in New Clark City, Tarlac.
- •The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is awaiting the United States' response to a draft framework agreement as negotiations approach finalization.
- •Industrial facilities will be limited to approximately 3,000 hectares of designated buildable land within the more than 6,000-hectare site, with the remaining area reserved for local farmers and Indigenous communities.
- •The framework agreement could be signed during the November ASEAN Summit in Manila if negotiations progress quickly, with the Philippines chairing ASEAN this year.
- •New Clark City is the BCDA's flagship master-planned development in Capas, Tarlac, situated on land formerly occupied by the US Clark Air Base.
Malacañang said residents and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) who may be affected by the proposed Pax Silica industrial project in New Clark City, Tarlac, will receive government assistance as negotiations on an agreement with the United States near conclusion.
At a news briefing on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is awaiting Washington’s response to a draft framework agreement. New Clark City is the agency’s flagship master-planned development inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Capas, Tarlac, built on land formerly occupied by the US Clark Air Base.
“BCDA met with the Office of the President through OES (Office of the Executive Secretary) for the submitted memorandum together with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and gave guidance that BCDA will follow in the negotiation and finalization of framework arrangement with US counterpart party,” Ms. Castro said. “So, we are just waiting for the response from the US.”
Ms. Castro said industrial facilities would be limited to designated buildable zones within the project site, while the remaining property would be reserved for local farmers and Indigenous communities.
“It is a very large area… over 6,000-plus hectares, and only 3,000-plus is the buildable zone. So all the remaining land is allocated for our countrymen whose home is that place, so they will not be neglected,” she said.
She added that affected residents would receive relocation and financial assistance.
“And of course, financial assistance will not be lacking if anyone is actually displaced,” she said, adding that the agreement could still be signed during the November ASEAN Summit in Manila if negotiations progress more quickly. The Philippines chairs ASEAN this year, with Manila hosting the leaders’ gathering.
— Erika Mae P. Sinaking
Source: BusinessWorld
