Pax Silica draft pact awaits U.S. counterpart approval — Palace

Malacañang Palace said it is still awaiting the United States counterpart to release the draft of the Pax Silica Initiative Framework Agreement while, on the side of the Philippine government, negotiations on the initiative’s governance structure continue.

“The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has already met with the Office of the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary for the submitted memorandum with the Department of Trade and Industry and the provided guidance to be followed by BCDA in the negotiation and finalization of the framework arrangement with the US counterpart party,” said Palace press officer, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro on Wednesday in a Palace briefing.

Waiting for the U.S. counterpart’s response

“We are just waiting for the response from the US for the draft agreement. That’s the message from the BCDA,” she added.

Castro said the Palace cannot give further details on whether the President has already read the agreement; neither is it sure if the signing of the agreement will be included in the agenda at the upcoming ASEAN Summit and Related Summit from 16 to 18 November.

“Let’s wait for the response of the US counterpart. For now, it’s only a draft agreement,” she stated.

Speculations on social media circulated that the Pax Silica Framework Agreement would be signed when US President Donald Trump arrives in Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit this month.

Further, Castro maintained that if there are indigenous peoples who will be displaced, the government will surely provide relocation sites.

Displacement of Aetas

BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang earlier revealed that about 200 Aetas will be displaced.