THE government will fast-track projects and incentives that offer “a powerful draw” to semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) companies to invest in the Philippines, Malacañang said.
In his remarks during a visit to Texas Instruments facility in Clark, Pampanga on Friday, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the President has attached “a high national priority” to drawing these high-impact industries to the country “so that Filipinos can benefit from great jobs, technology transfer and economic boost.”
Recto said the investment drive seeks to leverage Filipino talent in the semiconductors and electronics industry which accounts for two-thirds of the country’s exports.
“This is the skills base we have at the moment: three million high-value, technology-driven, and future-ready jobs," Recto said.
“The President’s (Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.) order is to move forward the assets we have into the making us semiconductor and AI hub in Asia,” he added.
Recto expressed gratitude to Texas Instruments for its confidence in the Filipino workforce and its commitment to the Philippines as a manufacturing and innovation hub.
He cited Texas Instruments Philippines as “a pioneer and an innovator,” with more than four decades of operations in the country.
“Texas Instruments is a strong example of a company that has placed its confidence in the Filipino worker, the Filipino engineer, and the Philippines as a manufacturing and innovation hub,” Recto said.
"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 added.
To support further industry expansion, the government is using the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) as an investment channel for semiconductor and AI companies, while activating the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council, which Recto chairs.
The LEC is a major infrastructure and economic initiative with the United States and Japan aimed at enhancing connectivity across Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas to accelerate trade, investment, and regional development.
The PSEI aims to increase electronics exports to $110 billion by 2030 by moving into higher-value segments such as integrated circuit design, advanced packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Recto also conducted an aerial inspection of the US-led Pax Silica site in New Clark City, envisioned as the country’s first AI-native industrial acceleration hub and among the most ambitious technology developments in the Philippines.
Launched in April 2026, the 4,000-acre development plans to host semiconductor fabrication facilities, critical minerals processing plants, hyperscale data centers, AI infrastructure, advanced research facilities, and other high-value industries.
“Pax Silica presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Philippines to host industries that will shape the future of the global economy,” Recto said.
According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, more than 50 companies, including several trillion-dollar technology firms, have expressed interest in investing in Pax Silica.
Also present during the visit were Finance Secretary Frederick Go, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang, and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo.
