Indigenous Aeta leaders and farmers from Capas, Tarlac speak during a press conference with petitioners and environmental advocates at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City on Thursday, August 6, 2026. They call for the cancellation of the controversial Pax Silica project, citing its alleged impact on indigenous communities, farmlands, and the environment.
Photograph by Analy Labor for the Daily Tribune
An indigenous group from Sitio Sapang Kawayan and farmers from nearby communities in the municipality of Capas, Tarlac traveled to Quezon City on Thursday to publicly reaffirm their defense of their ancestral domain and express opposition to the proposed Pax Silica project in Central Luzon.
“We walked and came here to reveal to the whole world that we will stand by our land because the evidence we have shows us how important our mountains are,” Aeta Chieftain Petroniza Capriz-Muñoz said in Filipino.
“Many projects have already been built in our community, and we have spoken many times with the BCDA. We have also been coordinating with the NCIP. So why, despite this major problem, are the BCDA and the NCIP allowing the Pax Silica project in our ancestral domain?” the indigenous leader added.
Muñoz, representing the affected Aeta community in Sitio Sapang Kawayan, appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to listen to the voices of the Indigenous Peoples, saying that the land belongs to them and not to other nations.
A farmer from Barangay Sta. Lucia in Capas, Tarlac, said their community has abundant sources of clean water, including a river where residents bring their livestock to drink and deep wells that provide potable water for household use.
“In our barangay, we have good water sources there, such as our river, which has very clear water. That is where we bring the animals we raise to let them drink,” Miriam Ventura said.
“The water from the pumps we use for drinking is really very good,” the farmer added.
She, however, questioned what would happen to the community's clean water sources if the proposed Pax Silica project proceeds, noting that the rivers and deep wells are their primary sources of clean and fresh water.
The farmer confirmed in an ambush interview with the Daily Tribune that aside from Aetas, other indigenous groups also opposed the Pax Silica.
“There are many [groups opposed] actually, especially if you visit the people of Sta. Juliana, you will see. We are just neighboring communities,” Ventura said.
“All of us [oppose]," she pointed out, noting all indigenous groups and communities oppose the proposed Tarlac project.
An Ayta senior who attended the press conference said she cultivates her managed hectares of land in Sitio Sapang Kawayan, Barangay Aranguren in Capas, Tarlac with vegetables, rice, sweet potato, chili, corn, and peanuts while another farmer from Sitio Binyayan, Barangay O'Donnell primarily planting bananas.
Ernesto Cabieza strongly opposed the proposed Pax Silica project, saying it would affect the Aeta community, other Indigenous Peoples, and the area's natural resources.
“There is a [municipal] mayor and a [barangay] captain. They should go through them first before coming to us,” the farmer said, pointing out that the proposed project must initially consult local government officials before the affected groups and communities.
Meanwhile, Danilo Ventura, a farmer from Sitio Rivera in Barangay Sta. Lucia said many of his fellow residents have been losing sleep over the alleged displacement of households following a letter of notice sent to the residents due to the proposed Pax Silica project.
“At present, our rice supply in the Philippines is already far from sufficient. Why should our farmlands be destroyed because of this Pax Silica project?” the farmer said.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Claire Castro said in a Thursday press briefing that the BCDA met with the municipal government of Capas, Tarlac on Wednesday to discuss the proposed Pax Silica project in New Clark City.
“During the meeting, the BCDA outlined how the proposed hub can attract advanced industries and high value investments to New Clark City while creating jobs and new opportunities for local businesses”, Castro said.
The presidential spokesperson reported that the Capas municipal government expressed its appreciation for BCDA’s plans and welcomed the invitation hub's potential to generate long-term economic opportunities and inclusive development.
“BCDA and the Capas LGU will continue working closely in conducting community consultations and promoting a balanced and responsible approach to the project’s development”, the PCO secretary added.
Under the Office of the President, the BCDA is managing the development and implementation of the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative in the country with the proposed artificial intelligence (AI) hub expecting to cover about 1,620 hectares in New Clark City, Tarlac in Central Luzon.
