Economist John Vianne B. Murcia, PhD demanded that the government exhibit transparency and accountability by releasing basic documents on the Pax Silica project for public viewing.
The expert suggested that it would be best to disclose details regarding land area, ownership structure, water and energy demand, alongside provisions related to public interest to avoid problems similar to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the past.
Regarding residents, he explained that host communities, the academe, labor groups, and indigenous peoples must undergo genuine public consultation while project designs can still be modified.
Accordingly, Murcia highlighted the importance of post-approval monitoring to measure how many jobs were created, how many locals were hired, and what community benefits were officially delivered as promised.
