THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it will relocate and provide agricultural land to residents displaced by the Pax Silica artificial intelligence (AI)-native hub in New Clark City, Tarlac.
“We had a fruitful negotiation on Sept. 29. So, we agreed on an on-site relocation for any of those possibly affected,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang told reporters last week.
The BCDA has reached a “general understanding” with the affected community, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the local government of Capas, Tarlac on the direction of development of the Pax Silica hub, he said.
He noted that housing for the displaced will rise on a 10-hectare (ha) site within New Clark City at a cost of P25-30 million. The relocation site will be just outside of the 1,619-ha site of the AI-native hub.
The BCDA will also allocate 100 hectares of agricultural land to the displaced, Mr. Bingcang added.
A final agreement needs to be reached with the community, the NCIP, and the Capas local government before the relocation process begins.
The BCDA has turned over a master development framework to Malacañang which will govern how the AI-native hub will operate.
“Right now, in anticipation of that project, we have started negotiations with those who have signified interest to locate in the Clark Advanced Manufacturing Park (CAMP),” Mr. Bingcang said.
The hub is being developed with the US under its Pax Silica initiative, which aims to boost investments in Philippine advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and AI chips.
The project has raised concerns regarding the potential displacement of farmers, heavy power and water demands, and environmental degradation. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz