Senator Gatchalian backs Pax Silica but sets conditions on sovereignty, resources

Senate President Win Gatchalian expressed support for the proposed Pax Silica initiative on Friday, August 14, but insisted that several key conditions—including national sovereignty, resource allocation, and community protection—must be strictly addressed before moving forward.

The Pax Silica project, an artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing hub planned for New Clark City in Tarlac, is part of a U.S.-led initiative to strengthen regional tech supply chains.

Speaking at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Gatchalian noted the massive economic potential of the project while stressing the need for safeguards.

“I personally support Pax Silica, but I also have a lot of conditions and caveats,” Gatchalian said. “Like entering any business, there are risks, caveats, and conditions. We should discuss those, and you are right that our committee should monitor them.”

The Senate chief emphasized that the initiative must fully comply with the Philippine Constitution and local laws.

“There is no compromise on that. We cannot neglect our sovereignty,” Gatchalian added.

Beyond legal and sovereign concerns, Gatchalian highlighted several crucial resource and environmental hurdles:

Resource Demands: The government must address the environmental footprint of the hub, particularly its heavy water requirements and the substantial electricity needed to run AI infrastructure amid existing power grid pressures.

Protection of Local Communities: Farmers and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) must not be displaced, and their rights and welfare must be fairly protected.

Technology Transfer: The project must include explicit agreements for technology transfer to ensure Filipino workers and local industries gain actionable skills and expertise.

Despite his caveats, Gatchalian acknowledged that Pax Silica represents a transformative opportunity for the Philippines, citing its potential to generate high-paying jobs, attract foreign investment, and propel the country toward higher-value industrial sectors.