Farmers, Aeta group push petition vs Pax Silica

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers and the Aeta community in Capas, Tarlac have launched a petition to stop Pax Silica, saying the project would affect their livelihoods and homes.

The petition has gathered nearly 400,000 verified signatures.

Under the US-led international initiative, a 1,600-hectare high-tech industrial hub will be built at New Clark City in Capas. The project aims to support artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centers and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Farmer Miriam Ventura said during a press conference that about 500 families in Barangay Sta. Lucia alone would be affected by the project, as she raised concern over its environmental impact and effects on their farm output.

“In our area, we have good quality water – it’s clear. If they build Pax Silica, what will happen to the water in our area? That’s the only place where we get drinking water for us to live,” Ventura said.

Petroniza Capriz-Muñoz, Aeta chieftain of Sapang Kawayan, said the community members would stand their ground and stay in their lands, as they raised concern that the project would displace them.

“The land serves as our lives as indigenous people, it serves as our home. What about our future generations? We are doing our best to plant and have a living for our families,” Muñoz said.

Aside from Sta. Lucia, Barangays O’Donnel and Aranguren were identified as among the areas that would be affected by the project.

According to data from the Capas town government, over 30 percent of its land area is considered productive agricultural land.