CLARK FREEPORT – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has placed “a high national priority” on attracting investments in semiconductor and artificial intelligence to enable Filipinos to benefit from employment opportunities, technology transfer, and increased economic activity.
“The President’s order is to move forward the assets we have into making us a semiconductor and AI hub in Asia,” said Executive Secretary Ralph Recto during a visit to the Texas Instruments facility here.
Recto underscored that the investment drive seeks to capitalize on the country’s skilled workforce and strong semiconductor and electronics industry, which accounts for about two-thirds of Philippine exports.
“We want more factories rising here. We want more breakthroughs and innovations developed here. We want more Filipino engineers, technicians, and researchers building their futures here,” he enthused.
Among the government’s initiative is the leveraging of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) as a key investment channel for semiconductor and AI companies.
The LEC is a joint initiative with the United States and Japan that aims to strengthen connectivity among Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas to boost trade, investments, and regional development.
In addition, the government is also activating the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council, to help advance industry development and investment promotion efforts.
These plans support the Philippine semiconductor and electronics industry’s goal of increasing electronics exports to $110 billion by 2030 through expansion into higher-value segments such as integrated circuit design, advanced packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority also reported that more than 50 companies have expressed interest in investing in the Pax Silica site that is envisioned as the country’s first AI-native industrial acceleration hub, signaling growing confidence in the Philippines as a destination for advanced technology investments.
This initiative aligns with government efforts to leverage the Luzon Economic Corridor as a key investment channel for semiconductor and AI companies and strengthen the country’s position in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. Ara Jamica R. Reparejo/PIA-3
