THE Senate has begun scrutinizing the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub in Tarlac, with lawmakers warning that the country’s pursuit of billions of dollars in investments and thousands of jobs must not come at the expense of the environment, farmers, and Indigenous communities.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian described Pax Silica as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, warning that Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia could accept the project if the Philippines fails to move forward.
Gatchalian said that the proposed hub could attract investments and generate thousands of jobs, while helping the country shift toward advanced manufacturing and high-value industries.
He said such a transition is increasingly urgent as artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt the business process outsourcing industry, potentially putting thousands of Filipino jobs at risk.
But Gatchalian stressed that his support for Pax Silica comes with conditions, including strict compliance with environmental laws and safeguards against the displacement of Indigenous peoples, loss of farmers’ livelihoods, and excessive demands on water and electricity.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority has described Pax Silica as a high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub in New Clark City, designed to support semiconductor, artificial intelligence, and critical-mineral industries. The project is expected to cover about 1,620 hectares.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, vowed to closely monitor the project to ensure compliance with Philippine laws and regulations and that its proponents fulfill their commitments.
Tulfo said the Senate would examine the project’s impact on local ecosystems, water and power consumption, waste management, and surrounding communities.
“We want the country to develop,” Tulfo said, noting that Pax Silica could create jobs and accelerate the country’s digital and industrial transformation.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bam Aquino, who represents Tarlac, called for full transparency, saying the Senate must establish exactly what facilities will be built, how much water and electricity they will require, and whether farmers and Indigenous communities will be displaced.
Aquino also raised concerns over reports that some affected communities, particularly in Capas and neighboring areas, were not adequately consulted before the project was announced.
He said the Senate hearings should provide communities with clear information about the project and give them a voice in decisions that could affect their livelihoods and ancestral lands.
Aquino stressed that industrialization should not leave vulnerable sectors behind, citing the temporary displacement of thousands of workers during the rehabilitation of Boracay as an example of how necessary reforms can still hurt communities when implemented without sufficient transition measures.
“There has to be a better way forward,” Aquino said, emphasizing that economic progress must be inclusive.
The BCDA has said the project will be subject to Philippine environmental laws and will not involve mining within the site or displacement of Indigenous communities.
Senators insist that since Pax Silica is expected to require substantial power and water resources, such concerns must be addressed before the project proceeds.
Gatchalian, Tulfo, and Aquino agreed that the Senate must balance the potential economic benefits of Pax Silica with environmental protection, community rights, and strict compliance with Philippine laws.
