Pax Silica can drive jobs and investment – Romualdez

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez on Friday defended the proposed Pax Silica initiative, saying it could create jobs, attract investments and position the Philippines as a trusted partner in the global technology supply chain.

Romualdez urged critics to give the project a chance, saying it presents a rare opportunity for the country to benefit from companies relocating technology and critical minerals supply chains.

“This is an opportunity that doesn’t come very often. So we have to take advantage of it. And we have to also be a little more flexible. I’m just hoping that the politicians in our country will start looking at this more on what the advantages are rather than look at the negative side of things.”

He said the initiative could generate employment and strengthen the country’s economy.

“This will create jobs for Filipinos. It will be good for our country and our economy. Not because we’re trying to be close to the United States. We are close to the United States. That’s the reason why we should take advantage of this right now,” he added.

Romualdez said Pax Silica was conceived by U.S. Undersecretary of State Jacob Helberg to help build trusted technology partnerships as companies shift critical minerals and technology-related investments out of China.

“Maraming companies that are now moving out of China… and they’re looking at the Philippines as one of the trusted countries that they can share technology or manufacture technological know-how or anything that’s related to technology. And we are one of those that was chosen, the Pax Silica. So it’s very positive.”

[Translation: Many companies are moving out of China and are looking at the Philippines as one of the trusted countries where they can share technology, manufacture technology-related products or transfer technological know-how. The Philippines was chosen for Pax Silica, and that is a very positive development.]

He said the Philippines is competing with countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia for these investments and may need legislative refinements to strengthen the country’s economic zone framework for the project.