Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday, August 2 called for an investigation into complaints that farmers are allegedly being ordered to stop planting and are facing intimidation as the government continues its pursuit of the Pax Silica Initiative.

The President’s sister made the call following reports that the identification of areas to be affected by the controversial Pax Silica Project in Capas, Tarlac has already begun.

“Hindi maaaring unahing alisin ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka para lamang mapadali ang land conversion (We cannot prioritize stripping farmers of their livelihoods simply to expedite land conversion),” Sen. Marcos said in a statement.

“Hindi dapat mawalan ng lupa ang mga nagpapakain sa bayan nang hindi man lang nabibigyan ng sapat na paliwanag at pagkakataong marinig (Those who feed the nation should not lose their land without being given a proper explanation and a chance to be heard),” she further said.

Moreover, the senator also emphasized that under Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2002, any land-use conversion must be ensured to be in accordance with the law.

She also stressed that the government’s promise of billions of dollars in investment and jobs are not enough if the cost would be the livelihood of the country’s farmers and indigenous peoples.

“Bago ang anumang investment, dapat munang tiyakin na hindi naaagrabyado ang mga taong umaasa sa lupa para mabuhay (Before any investment proceeds, we must ensure that those who rely on the land for their survival are not prejudiced),” she urged.

Marcos further warned that the planned 1,619-hectare artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing hub in New Clark City, would require massive supplies of water and electricity for the processing of rare earth and critical minerals.

“Kung ngayon pa lang kapos na ang tubig para sa mga magsasaka at may brownout kada linggo, saan kukunin ang napakalaking suplay ng tubig at kuryente para sa Pax Silica? Konsultasyon muna bago konstruksyon (If water is already scarce for farmers and there are weekly brownouts, where will the massive supply of water and electricity for Pax Silica come from? Consultation before construction," she said.

Marcos said it is imperative that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) first explain the project's true impact to the residents before any land surveying or acquisition takes place.

Reports indicate that 1,600 hectares will be affected—including land cultivated by 92 farmers and indigenous Aeta communities—even in the absence of public consultation.