MANILA, Philippines — Amid growing public concern, Sen. Raffy Tulfo has filed a Senate resolution seeking to investigate the proposed Pax Silica hub in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac to determine its economic, environmental, social, technological, and national security implications.
In filing Senate Resolution 571, Tulfo underscored the need to assess whether existing laws and regulatory safeguards were adequate as the Philippine government prioritizes digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing to drive economic growth, create quality jobs, and attract investments.
He said the proposed Pax Silica Hub has been presented as a transformative development that could position the Philippines as a regional center for advanced computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductor-related industries, data infrastructure, and other high-value technology sectors.
“While such investments may contribute significantly to economic growth, technology transfer, innovation, and job creation, they have likewise generated public concerns and policy questions,” said Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Comittee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
Tulfo said that among the concerns raised were land use and urban planning, water consumption, resource allocation, and environmental sustainability, as well as the project's potential impact on the rights, welfare, cultural integrity, and ancestral domains of indigenous peoples and local communities.
The senator also cited questions on employment generation, workforce development, skills enhancement, and the project's long-term economic, technological, environmental, and social benefits to Filipinos.
He said the project's long-term economic, technological, environmental, and social benefits to the Filipino people were also being questioned.
“The concerns expressed by citizens, local communities, indigenous people, members of the scientific community, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders underscore the importance of ensuring that public participation and meaningful consultation remain integral components of the planning, evaluation, and implementation of projects of national significance," Tulfo said.
