The proposed Pax Silica Industrial Hub will not affect the energy supply of the households and businesses outside it, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Wednesday. Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Members of an Indigenous community in Capas, Tarlac are appealing to the government to protect their homes and livelihoods amid fears they could be displaced by the planned Pax Silica Hub in New Clark City, a multibillion-dollar initiative intended to position the Philippines as a regional hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Residents of Sitio Binayayan in Barangay O'Donnell said they are not opposed to development but worry that it could come at the expense of the land they have called home for generations.
For Dominga Dizon Capiz, the uncertainty is difficult to bear.
”Saan nila kami dadalhin? Yan ang problema namin? Saan kami dadalhin? Sa bunganga ng bulkan? Mamatay kami doon! Kawawa naman kaming katutubo. Kami wala kaming inaapakan na tao," she said.
Capas residents fear displacement, livelihood loss over proposed Pax Silica Hub
The Pax Silica Hub forms part of the Pax Silica Initiative, a partnership involving the Philippines and led by the United States that seeks to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data centers and advanced electronics manufacturing.
Government officials have said construction of the hub is expected to begin in 2028, but preparations are already underway.
Roads and other infrastructure are now being built around New Clark City to accommodate future development. One of those roads now passes through what used to be rice fields owned by residents of Sitio Binayayan.
Residents said they welcomed the construction of concrete roads because they improve access during the rainy season. But, they fear more agricultural land could eventually be acquired once the larger project moves forward.
Among those who may lose farmland is Rosalinda David, whose small rice field helps sustain her family's daily needs.
"Dito kahit kumuha lang kami ng mga gulay gulay, ititinda namin makakaraos na po kami. Kahit ipalit lang namin ng sardinas, bigays pwede na po. Hindi po kami papayag, talagang lalaban po kami. Ito lang ang talagang alam naming hanap buhay namin. Kawawa naman ang mga anak namin kaliliit pa tapos ititira kami kung saan saan. Kaya po sana ang presidente maawa naman po sa mga mahihirap," David said.
The proposed Pax Silica Hub has become the subject of growing public debate.
Environmental organizations and scientists have questioned whether the country has enough resources to support large-scale AI infrastructure, pointing to the enormous water and electricity requirements of data centers that power artificial intelligence systems.
They have also raised concerns over the project's potential environmental and social impacts on surrounding communities.
For residents of Sitio Binayayan, however, the issue goes beyond utilities and the environment.
They fear that losing their land could deprive Indigenous children of opportunities for education and a better future.
"Yung mga batang katutubo, kawawa. Paano pang makakapag-aral ang mga yan? Paanong makakatulong. Kung sakaling makapag-aral yan, makakatulong sana. Kung hindi paano po yun sir?" resident Arnesto Capiz Daguro said.
Meanwhile, Malacañang on Monday denied claims that the project will displace farmers.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the concerns raised by critics do not reflect the government's existing land-use plans for New Clark City.
The government has described the Pax Silica Hub as a cornerstone of the Philippines' digital transformation and a project that could attract billions of pesos in investment while generating high-value jobs.
But for indigenous families living on land surrounding the proposed development, the promise of progress remains overshadowed by uncertainty.
They say development should not mean losing the only home they have ever known.
As the country pushes to become a player in the global AI market, residents of Sitio Binayayan hope they will not be left behind or displaced, in the name of progress.
EXPLAINER: Why environmental, science groups oppose proposed Pax Silica hub in PH
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