MALACAÑANG hinted on Wednesday that the draft framework for the proposed US-led Pax Silica initiative may be signed during the 49th Asean Summit in Manila.
”Let us see,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a press briefing when asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would sign the draft framework during the summit.
Castro said that the Philippines is still awaiting the response of the United States to the proposed agreement, being the initiative’s leader. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which oversees the project, said it had already discussed with the president the preliminaries of the endeavor.
”The BCDA has met with the Office of the President — through the Office of the Executive Secretary regarding a memorandum submitted jointly with the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry),” Castro said in Filipino, quoting the BCDA.
”Guidance has been provided for the BCDA to follow during the negotiations and the finalization of the framework arrangement with the US counterpart. Essentially, we are now just awaiting a response from the US side concerning the draft agreement; that is the message they conveyed,” she added.
When asked by The Manila Times on the issue of communities that would be displaced because of the project, Castro said the government will ensure that those who would be affected will receive assistance.
”Of course, financial assistance will certainly be provided should anyone actually end up being displaced,” she said.
Castro said that only 3,000-plus hectares of the over 6,000 hectares total designated spot for the project are considered a “buildable zone.” ”If they (locals) are located within the buildable zone, they will not be left to fend for themselves or lose their place to live,” Castro said, noting the remaining land outside the buildable areas was reserved for Indigenous peoples.
The BCDA said consultation has been done in Capas, Tarlac, on the possible displacement of Aeta communities in the area because of the project.
The Palace previously confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the Asean Summit, leading to speculations that the Pax Silica deal may be signed during the event.
