Palace: 'Aetas won't be driven out of Pax Silica site' — only 3,000 of 6,000 ha to be built on

Palace: 'Aetas won't be driven out of Pax Silica site' — only 3,000 of 6,000 ha to be built on

📌 On Wednesday, November 4, the Palace said it will not drive out the Aeta people and farmers from the site of the 'Pax Silica' industrial complex being pursued with the US. Of the site's more than 6,000 ha, the 'buildable area' where facilities will be constructed is 3,000 ha, and the rest will be left for the original residents, it explained.

■ What's changing
· Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said residents living inside the construction area will not be abandoned, and that if relocation is needed, the government will find other land and provide financial assistance (PNA·Manila Bulletin).
· The number of Aeta people who may lose their homes because of the project, a concern that has been raised, differs from report to report (PNA·CLTV36: at least 200 people; Manila Bulletin: 200 communities).
· CLTV36 reported the project site as New Clark City, Tarlac.
· The framework agreement with the US is still a draft, and the government is waiting for a reply from the US side. Press Officer Castro did not rule out the possibility that it could be signed at this month's ASEAN summit (Manila Bulletin).
· The Pax Silica economic security zone is a concept for a Philippines-US industrial hub for semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical mineral processing, and advanced manufacturing (Manila Bulletin).

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· News of large-scale development around New Clark City near Clark is expected to continue, so keep an eye on government announcements.

■ Sources
PNA (11/4), Manila Bulletin (11/4), CLTV36 News (official Facebook, 11/4)

■ Photos
· 1. File photo · Aerial photo of the New Clark City area — Manila Bulletin
· 2. File photo · Graphic from a Pax Silica site event (file photo) — CLTV36 News (official Facebook)