Ambassador Romualdez: Several Asian nations wanted Pax Silica, but PH was chosen

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said several Asian countries were “prepared to take on” the Pax Silica project, but the Philippines was among the few nations selected.

Romualdez appealed for the public to weigh in the advantages of the US-led initiative and economic security framework.

“The Philippines is one of the few countries chosen for Pax Silica...Let’s not look at the negatives. Let's look at positives, then discuss negatives,” Romualdez told reporters on the sidelines of the Manila Overseas Press Club Judiciary Night in Makati on Friday.

“If right away we’re looking at negatives, unfortunately, many other countries in Asia want it — Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They’re prepared to take on the Pax Silica."

Romualdez also said he had hoped that there would be thorough discussions about the project, including issues on its environmental impact, “before all of the negatives come out.”

“I think these will be thoroughly discussed, threshed out, and it will be very transparent,” he added.

He urged political leaders and opposition groups to “look first at the advantages of Pax Silica before going any further in criticizing it.”

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative and economic security framework that hopes to create a global supply chain for AI and the semiconductor industry. The Philippines is among the 24 country signatories in this agreement.

As part of the Pax Silica project, a 1,600-hectare, AI-focused industrial hub is being eyed in New Clark City in Tarlac.

Despite criticisms against the project, the government has insisted that this was not just about the creation of AI hubs, but strengthening high-value manufacturing in the Philippines. —VBL, GMA News