MANILA: Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday (Aug 6) said the welfare and sentiments of farmers and other affected communities should not be set aside in the proposed Pax Silica project.
Stressing the need for genuine public consultation, Pangilinan said farmers, whom he described as “the people who feed the nation” deserve better treatment.
“Their welfare and sentiments cannot simply be set aside. The government’s title to the land through the [Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)] cannot be used as a mere justification for evicting the people who live and farm in the area where Pax Silica plans to build its facilities,” the senator said in a statement.
Pangilinan’s statement comes amid growing concerns over the proposed Pax Silica project, which experts warn could require 39 billion litres of water annually and more than 20,000 hectares of land for solar farms and water reservoirs.
Despite the foreseen job opportunities and benefits to the Philippine economy, critics say the project’s land footprint could displace agricultural communities and reduce farmland that could otherwise feed hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, while its massive water demand could strain local water sources and pose risks to groundwater if not managed properly.
Reacting to a Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho report featuring concerns raised by residents and farmers near the supposed project site, Pangilinan said projects that affect communities should undergo meaningful public consultation with those who stand to be affected.
“It is difficult for any plan to succeed when, from the very beginning, those affected are already being disregarded or belittled,” he said.
Pangilinan emphasised that the principle of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) should guide preparations, as indigenous peoples, farmers and communities that rely on local water resources would be affected.
According to the senator, “free” means there should be no coercion, intimidation, threats, or strong-arm tactics; “prior” means consent should be secured before any project proceeds; and “informed” means communities should receive complete, clear, and understandable information about the project.
Pangilinan also called for a Senate hearing to closely examine the details of the Pax Silica project.
“We will thoroughly scrutinise the details of the Pax Silica project in a Senate hearing. We will examine it through the lens of the ordinary Filipinos’ interests. We will ensure that, in this matter, the people and the Philippines come out the winners,” he said. - Philippines Daily Inquirer/ANN
