CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — “We stress that this is fundamentally about war production, not neutral industrial development. Pax Silica is the production aspect, while the US-Philippines critical minerals framework is the foundation. Together, these lock in a pipeline from extraction and processing of strategic minerals to semiconductor and electronics output, aimed at reducing US dependence on China-linked materials and supply routes.”
Thus, declared three party-list representatives belonging to the Makabayan Bloc on April 19, opposing the US-led Pax Silica initiative with the warning that it “will further subordinate the Philippines to US strategic priorities and expose our people, economy, and environment to heightened risks.”
“By hosting a hub explicitly designed to support US supply chains, the Philippines is being positioned to provide the tech requirements of the US war machine and to serve the evolving needs of a militarized bloc,” noted the joint statement of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co.
Warning that: “This plan also heightens geopolitical danger. It entrenches the country more deeply in great-power rivalry and increases the risk of economic coercion, trade retaliation, and broader instability. The Marcos administration is gambling with Filipino jobs and livelihoods by tying our economic direction to the strategic competition of foreign powers.”
“At the same time, we reject the promise that this will bring genuine national development. Under such arrangements, the Philippines is typically pushed into low-tier roles in the value chain, especially assembly, testing, packaging (ATP), and other labor-intensive, lower-value segments,” the statement said.
The lawmakers called for full transparency and congressional scrutiny over all government commitments under Pax Silica and related critical minerals arrangements, including incentives, regulatory concessions, land and water requirements, environmental and labor safeguards, and security implications.
New Clark City
In a press release on April 20, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority said that “as part of the country’s commitment,” it has allocated a 4,000-acre lot in New Clark City “to serve as a Pax Silica Coordination Office where technology firms, research institutions, and government agencies can converge to build a robust AI ecosystem, accelerate innovation, attract high-value investments.”
The Coordination Office is the first of its kind to be established under Pax Silica. It is being designated as a “Golden Node,” a new model for AI-native investment acceleration hubs, translating into more quality job opportunities for Filipinos and greater participation of local enterprises in the growing innovation-driven economy across the globe, it added.
“The BCDA will extend a two-year grace period on lease payments, which will be treated as an unconditional in-kind contribution to support the development of economic cooperation initiatives between the two countries. The annual lease rate from the third year onwards will be determined separately under a subsequent agreement,” the press release furthered.
“Massive sellout”
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in a statement on April 19 called the Pax Silica initiative as a “massive sellout” of the country’s land, minerals, and sovereignty.
“To be honest, this is war production disguised as ‘so-called development.’ The government is opening our mountains and ancestral lands to more destructive mining and industries that serve foreigners rather than the Filipino people,” it said.
While designed to “shore up supply chains” for minerals and electronics, Pax Silica can function as an export-oriented enclave, prioritizing foreign firms’ access to land, water, and energy resources, the KMP warned.
“We will be made the suppliers of cheap raw materials and low-value processing such as assembly, testing and packaging, while they keep the technology, control, and profits,” it said.
The KMP also raised concerns that Pax Silica can effect further mining expansion in Zambales, Palawan, and Nueva Vizcaya affecting agricultural lands and biodiversity zones that support rice, coconut, and other food production, endangering the country’s food security if these are converted into industrial and mining corridors.
Noting that semiconductors and advanced electronics produced at the Pax Silica site can supply both civilian markets and defense technologies such as missiles, drones, and surveillance and communications systems.
“There is no doubt that Pax Silica is really meant for the US war effort. It lays the foundation through critical minerals and then pushes production to meet the needs of the US in its warfare,” the KMP said, noting that semiconductors and advanced electronics produced at the Pax Silica site can supply both civilian markets and defense technologies such as missiles, drones, and surveillance and communications systems.
This, it said, could increase the risk of surrounding communities becoming targets if geopolitical tensions escalate. Punto News Team/Media reports
