MANILA, Philippines – The Marcos Jr. administration has pitched Pax Silica as a great opportunity to transform the Philippines into a hub for artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced industries.
The proposed 1,620-hectare industrial development in New Clark City is expected to attract up to US$70 billion in investments, create as many as 190,000 direct jobs, and strengthen the country’s role in global technology supply chains, according to Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Joshua Bingcang in a Palace press briefing.
But the project has also drawn criticism from scientists, environmental groups, and farmer organizations, who question whether the Philippines will receive the long-term economic benefits being promised, or instead shoulder much of the environmental and resource costs.
Here’s a look at the competing claims:
Claim: Pax Silica will move the Philippines up the value chain from mineral exporter to processor
