The government should secure clear economic gains for Filipinos and protections for Aeta communities before making additional long-term commitments to the proposed Pax Silica-linked Clark project, Senator Loren Legarda said.
Legarda said investment and job projections should not be the only basis for determining whether the project will benefit the Philippines.
“Hindi puwedeng ang sukatan lang ng progreso ay kung gaano kalaki ang investment o ilang trabaho ang malilikha. Kung ang kapalit naman ay pagkawala ng lupa, kabuhayan, tubig, kultura, o seguridad ng mga komunidad, hindi iyon tunay na progreso,” she said.
The senator from Antique said the final agreement should contain clear safeguards covering ancestral-domain and land claims, homes and access routes, water sources, livelihoods, cultural and sacred sites, and possible relocation.
“Hindi sapat na sabihing may kabuhayan o assistance kung may maaapektuhang komunidad. Dapat malinaw kung ano ang plano para sa kanila at ang kabuuang epekto sa kanilang buhay,” according to her.
Legarda also called for direct consultation with Aeta communities and other Indigenous Peoples who could be affected by the project.
At the same time, she said the Philippines should secure higher-value jobs, technology and skills transfer, research capacity and stronger local suppliers from the project.
“Pax Silica should help us move upward, into design, engineering, advanced manufacturing, research, and technology development,” Legarda said.
She called for the full terms of the proposed framework and subsequent binding agreements to be disclosed before the government makes additional long-term commitments.
“Before we lock in the obligations, let us lock in the gains and the safeguards,” she said.IMT
