Sen. Imee Marcos has called on the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to conduct public consultations and explain the potential impact of the proposed Pax Silica Project in Capas, Tarlac before moving forward with land acquisition and site activities.
In a statement released Sunday, Marcos questioned the project’s effects on farmers and indigenous communities after reports indicated that authorities had begun identifying areas that could be affected by the planned development.
“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.
According to the senator, reports showed that about 1,600 hectares may be affected by the project, including farmland cultivated by 92 farmers and members of the Aeta community, despite the absence of public consultations.
Marcos urged the BCDA to first explain the project’s actual impact on residents before conducting land measurements or pursuing land acquisition.
She also sought an investigation into reports that some farmers had allegedly been told to stop planting crops and had experienced intimidation.
“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 said.
The senator also stressed that any land use conversion should comply with the requirements of Department of Agrarian Reform Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2002.
Marcos further raised concerns over the project’s projected demand for water and electricity, saying the processing of rare earth and critical minerals would require substantial utility resources.
“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.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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