Philippines lifts IT park moratorium, advances Pax Silica AI hub

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub in his 2026 State of the Nation Address, describing it as an artificial‑intelligence ecosystem that will create quality jobs, boost industrial competitiveness and position the Philippines within the global AI value chain.

The administration has issued Administrative Order No. 45, lifting the moratorium on new information‑technology parks and centers in Metro Manila. The order directs the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to resume accepting and evaluating applications for IT‑focused economic zones, aiming to attract investors, generate employment and strengthen Manila’s role as the country’s leading ICT hub. Pax Silica, a planned 1,620‑hectare complex in New Clark City, will focus on AI‑enabled manufacturing, semiconductors and critical minerals, while the revived IT parks will cater mainly to software and business‑process services.