Camille Naredo

Youth protesters stage a lightning rally outside the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) headquarters at the Bonifacio Technology Center in Taguig City on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News


Youth protesters stage a lightning rally outside the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) headquarters at the Bonifacio Technology Center in Taguig City on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The protesters denounced the government’s support for the US-led Pax Silica initiative and urged its rejection, citing potential environmental impacts, heavy resource use, and implications for national sovereignty.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PROTESTS

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178776425824920260819-anti-pax-silica-protest-bcda-MT16.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Youth protesters stage a lightning rally outside the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) headquarters at the Bonifacio Technology Center in Taguig City on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>Youth protesters stage a lightning rally outside the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) headquarters at the Bonifacio Technology Center in Taguig City on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that any transactions the government will enter under the US-led Pax Silica initiative will not disadvantage the Philippines.Castro was asked about the government’s guardrails against US’ potential future demands after it hit Canada with hefty tariff rates after a breakdown in trade negotiations.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/8/26/technology-transfer-urged-to-be-included-in-pax-silica-deal-1434">Technology transfer urged to be included in Pax Silica deal </a></div>“Nagsalita din po ang pangulo, hindi maaaring gumawa ng anumang transaksyon na ang Pilipinas o mga Pilipino ang siyang madidehado,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing Wednesday, August 26.(The president has spoken on this. The government will not have transactions that will disadvantage the Philippines or Filipinos.)The Palace official maintained that the Philippine government will always abide by local laws and will never violate Filipino rights in all transactions.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/why-environmental-science-groups-oppose-proposed-pax-silica-hub-in-ph-2015">EXPLAINER: Why environmental, science groups oppose proposed Pax Silica hub in PH </a></div>“Kailangan po natin na magkaroon ng mga investments pero hindi nangangahulugan na ang ating mga kapuwa Pilipino ang magdurusa,” she said.(We need investments but that doesn&#x27;t mean our people should suffer.)The project has raised concerns over environmental damage to the Pax Silica site in Capas, Tarlac and the potential eviction of communities living there.

Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that any transactions the government will enter under the US-led Pax Silica initiative will not disadvantage the Philippines.

Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that any transactions the government will enter under the US-led Pax Silica initiative will not disadvantage the Philippines.

Palace promises Pax Silica deals 'won't disadvantage' Philippines

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Palace promises Pax Silica deals 'won't disadvantage' Philippines

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 07:21 PM PHT

|

Updated August 27, 2026 01:11 AM PHT

Read More:

Pax Silica

Claire Castro

Capas

Tarlac

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