Pax Silica AI and semiconductor hub in New Clark City, Philippines
The Marcos administration is promoting the Pax Silica project, a 1,620‑hectare industrial development in New Clark City, Tarlac, intended to become a hub for artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing and advanced industries. Officials say the venture could draw up to US$70 billion in investment and generate as many as 190,000 direct jobs, positioning the Philippines higher in the global technology supply chain.
The plan calls for a massive water supply of 130 million litres per day (about 39 billion litres annually). The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) says groundwater will not be used and that rainwater harvesting and reservoir construction will meet demand, but analyses show that even under normal rainfall the site could capture only about 28 billion litres a year, leaving a shortfall of roughly 11 billion litres, which would widen during El Niño years.
Environmental groups, scientists and community organisations have mounted opposition, citing resource depletion, lack of technology‑transfer guarantees and sovereignty concerns. Online petitions against the project have amassed more than 500,000 signatures, and over 150 organisations from 30 countries have voiced criticism.
Entities: AGHAM · Bases Conversion and Development Authority · Giovanni Tapang · Joshua Bingcang · New Clark City · Pax Silica · Pax Silica project · Philippine government · President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Pax Silica project will be built on a 1,620‑hectare site in New Clark City, Tarlac. (All articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pax Silica will require 130 million litres of water per day, about 39 billion litres annually. (cf7ecd03-69db-48a7-b57a-0059d2b251d6)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The project could create up to 190,000 direct jobs. (d042b810-858b-4a23-8d76-745c42327767)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The project is expected to attract up to US$70 billion in investment. (d042b810-858b-4a23-8d76-745c42327767)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 500,000 signatures have been collected on petitions opposing Pax Silica. (6eb60761-4d85-4959-953a-51546f776fe6)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Critics argue the project lacks commitments for technology transfer to Filipino workers. (d042b810-858b-4a23-8d76-745c42327767)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rainwater capture at the site could provide at most 28 billion litres per year, leaving a deficit of 11 billion litres under normal conditions. (cf7ecd03-69db-48a7-b57a-0059d2b251d6)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] BCDA says groundwater will not be tapped and the project will rely on rainwater harvesting and reservoirs. (cf7ecd03-69db-48a7-b57a-0059d2b251d6)