CAPAS, Tarlac – The Municipal Government of Capas has formally communicated with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to demand a comprehensive presentation and environmental impact assessment for the proposed “Pax Silica Project” intended for New Clark City.
In an undated official letter addressed to BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang, Rodriguez expressed serious concerns regarding the project, citing “considerable public interest” and the potential for significant “environmental impact… to the surrounding community.”
The LGU emphasized that while New Clark City falls under the administration of the BCDA, it lies within the territorial jurisdiction of Capas. Consequently, the municipality and its residents are the primary stakeholders who would bear the immediate consequences of any environmental issues arising from the project.
The Tarlac town requested the BCDA and the project proponents to conduct a public consultation and a detailed presentation. This presentation should cover crucial aspects including the project’s objectives, scope, timeline, regulatory compliance, and anticipated impacts on the municipality and its residents.
“In order to fully enlighten the Municipal Government of Capas on this urgent issue and enable it to approximately address the concerns of its constituents… the Local Government Unit deems it necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the project,” the letter stated.
In a social media post, Rodriguez affirmed the LGU’s commitment to its constituents’ welfare.
“Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang karapatan ng bawat Capaseño na malaman ang katotohanan at maging bahagi ng mga usaping may kinalaman sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” the local chief executive said.
In an earlier post, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said that the Pax Silica project is his ‘major focus.’
“Visited the site of the #PaxSilica Economic Security Zone, a major focus of mine. This is the FUTURE of U.S.-Philippine partnership, an exciting project that will create endless jobs through emerging technologies, investment, and infrastructure,” Lipton’s post read. The post garnered 46,000 angry emojis out of 52,000 reactions as of this writing.
