BINI’s Mikha Lim warns of possible adverse effects of Pax Silica hub

BINI member Mikha Lim recently urged Filipinos to pay closer attention to how large-scale development initiatives, like the proposed Pax Silica hub in Tarlac, could affect the country’s environment, natural resources, and communities.

Mikha questioned during a livestream whether the potential gains from expanding the artificial intelligence industry would truly benefit Filipinos if the project also puts pressure on resources such as clean water.

While she acknowledged that the development could bring jobs and help boost the country’s AI industry, the 22-year-old singer wondered whether if those benefits would be enough to justify its costs.

“I've been watching people talk about it na parang yes to Pax Silica if it would actually help the Filipinos. But given the current situation of our [country], will that actually help us? No. It won't help the Philippines and it won't justify, like, why do we have to do that?”

Mikha also raised concerns about the possible effect on living expenses and whether the jobs created by the project would ultimately make a difference for Filipinos.

“Let's say, okay, aangat nga tayo in terms of the AI industry that we think, pero is it worth it losing the minerals that make the Philippines, the Philippines, you know?”

“And tataas iyong cost of living, so what's the difference? Oo nga, bibigay natin iyong jobs sa mga Pinoys. So how does that help with poverty?”

Mikha then turned to the environmental demands of large-scale data centers, particularly the need for huge water reserves. She cited water conditions in some parts of the United States and questioned what this could mean for the Philippines.

“Grabe, nakita ninyo ba ‘yung tubig sa US, parts of the US? Ang dumi na. Imagine that's happening to a very big country. What more to our country?”

She also encouraged Filipinos to pay attention to issues surrounding the project. She added, “So, please, let's use our voices to talk about what matters and what's happening.”

Mikha went on to discuss the amount of electricity and water needed to operate data centers, as well as the scale of the land that could be used for such facilities.

“I heard, I feel like it's true na iyong mga movies na parang namamatay na ‘yung earth. Because one day, that is very, that's gonna happen. Because of everything that humans are developing.”

“Kung titingnan ninyo ‘yung land na gagamitin nila para sa data center na iyon, it's so big. And the amount of water that they need, and they need clean water.”

She noted that cooling systems could be used instead of relying on clean water, but said their cost could be a concern.  “So they'd rather get the clean water, rather than paying more,” she explained.

She also called for greater support for farmers, whom she described as essential to the Philippines. 

“We need to support the farmers, guys. We would not survive without them.”

Mikha’s comments came as the proposed Pax Silica AI Hub continues to spark debate on social media.

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative focused on building a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain. The Philippines joined the coalition of countries as its 13th member in April.

According to the government, the planned hub will cover approximately 1,620 hectares in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. Once fully developed, it is expected to attract significant investments and generate more than 130,000 “high-quality” jobs for highly skilled professionals, including engineers and researchers.