Will Pax Silica framework be signed during ASEAN Summit? Palace says ‘let’s see’
Students, teachers, and university personnel staged a Black Friday protest dubbed “Walang Makalilimot! Iskolar ng Bayan, Walkout Na!” at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Friday, September 18, 2026, demanding accountability over corruption and impunity and calling for higher state funding for education. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Will the Pax Silica framework be signed during US President Donald Trump’s attendance at the ASEAN Summit?
The Palace is yet to give a definitive comment.
“Let us see, baka naman magkaroon ng mas mabilis na aksiyon,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Wednesday.
Social media users have speculated that the framework will finally be signed during Trump’s visit to Manila later this month.
Castro cited a statement from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, saying they are still awaiting a response from their US counterparts.
“Nakipagpulong na po ang BCDA sa opisina ng Pangulo through OES para sa isinumiteng memorandum kasama ang DTI at nagbigay ng guidance na susundin ng BCDA sa negosasyon at finalization of framework arrangement with US counterpart party. So, hinihintay na lamang po ang response mula sa US para sa draft agreement,” the BCDA’s statement said, as read by Castro during the briefing.
Pax Silica has been a hot topic as many concerns have been raised against the initiative.
This includes concerns on the possible displacement of Aeta communities living in Tarlac.
“Kung ano ang mga concerns ng ating mga kababayan, iyan naman po ay pinakikingganz Kung may madi-displace ng mga IPs (indigenous peoples), sa ating pagkakaalam ay ilalagay naman ang nasabing istraktura doon sa buildable zone. So kung nasa buildable zone siya, wala dapat na maapektuhan na ating mga kababayan na mga farmers or IPs,” Castro said.
Castro assured the IPs will not be displaced.
“Malaki po kasi iyong lugar, malaki siya eh, 6,000-plus hectares kung hindi tayo nagkakamali; iyong 3,000-plus lang naman ang buildable zone. So ang ibang lahat diyan na natira na lupa ay talaga nakalaan para sa ating mga kababayan na ang nakagisnan nilang tahanan ay ang nasabing lugar, so hindi po sila pababayaan,” Castro said.