While Governor Yap welcomes the economic boost, municipal executives and religious groups press for clear answers on environmental safeguards and community displacement.
TARLAC CITY, Tarlac — The proposed Pax Silica project in New Clark City has brought intense friction between national economic planners and local leaders, with municipal executives and religious figures demanding strict environmental transparency and accountability.
The 1,620-hectare Pax Silica project inside the towns of Capas and Bamban is slated to host an advanced silicon manufacturing and artificial intelligence ecosystem. However, mounting concerns over its environmental effect, the displacement of residents, and a perceived lack of transparency from the BCDA have ignited sharp opposition to the development.
During a high-level consultation hosted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Provincial Government of Tarlac, BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang defended the initiative as a historic growth driver for the region.
Governor Christian Tell Yap similarly welcomed the project, emphasizing that bringing semiconductor manufacturing closer to Tarlaqueños will generate thousands of local jobs and economic opportunities.
However, local chief executives pushed back against the rapid pace of the development.
Capas Mayor Roseller Rodriguez officially wrote to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to demand intervention, arguing that the BCDA bypassed mandatory local consultations mandated under Sections 2(c), 26, and 27 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
Rodriguez stressed that no project should proceed without the explicit approval of the Sangguniang Bayan, warning against potential environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate risks.
Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva raised critical infrastructure concerns, questioning where and when the government intends to source the massive energy and water requirements for the hub.
Villanueva pointed out that the facility’s projected demand calls for a massive power plant capacity and tens of millions of liters of water daily, demanding clear answers from the BCDA.
“Where and when can we provide its electricity requirement of 6 Gigawatts? We need to construct, operate, and maintain 10 units-600 MW power plant capacity,” Villanueva said.
“Next issue is where can we source its water requirement of 90 million liters of water per day? BCDA should clearly provide an answer to these pressing concerns,” the Concepcion mayor said.
Meanwhile, Acting Bamban Vice Mayor Levy Tadeo echoed similar apprehensions regarding the welfare of Indigenous Aeta communities residing within the overlapping project zones of Barangay Anupul.
Tadeo criticized the lack of concrete livelihood guarantees for displaced families and voiced fears over dwindling local water supplies in Bamban.
“Yung mga kapatid na Aeta, wala namang pangakong livelihood at saan dadalhin, pero kahit bigyan sila ng livelihood, mas gugustuhin pa rin nilang magtanim dahil yun ang source of living at way of life nila,” Tadeo said.
Echoing these community anxieties, Bishop Robert Mallari acknowledged the potential economic benefits of technological advancement but stressed that development must never compromise the common good or displace marginalized groups.
Mallari called for total transparency regarding water sources, energy supplies, environmental protections, and ancestral domain impacts before any project implementation moves forward.
To address these concerns, Bingcang assured stakeholders that the hub’s resource consumption will bypass community groundwater reserves by tapping into alternative supplies such as rainwater harvesting, river systems, and wastewater recycling.
He added that further discussions will be brought to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to ensure all sectors can thoroughly air their grievances and recommendations.
