Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not allow any foreign power to control its engagement with an international coalition aimed at securing global supply chains for artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and critical minerals, and avoid compromising sovereignty and strategic interests.
Communication Undersecretary Claire Castro said the US-led Pax Silica project is intended to benefit Filipinos and that any agreement would be implemented in line with local laws.
“Kung mayroon man tayong pinag-uusapan tungkol sa pagpasok nito ng Pax Silica, ito po ay para sa atin at para sa mga kababayan natin. At sinisigurado po ng Pangulo na lahat po ng gagawin ay naaayon sa batas at hindi po maaaring makasira ito ng ating environment o maka-displace man ng ating mga kababayan nang walang anumang kapalit.”
[Translation: If we are discussing the entry of Pax Silica, it is for us and for our fellow Filipinos. The President is ensuring that everything will be done in accordance with the law and that it will neither harm the environment nor displace communities without proper compensation.]
Castro responded to concerns raised by some lawmakers and civil society groups that the proposed initiative could deepen the country’s involvement in the strategic rivalry between the US and China, expose the country to security risks, allow foreign control of critical minerals, and displace local communities.
Asked whether the country would retain control over the project, Castro cited Marcos’ longstanding position on protecting sovereignty.
“Sinabi naman din po ng pangulo noon na we will not surrender even square inch of our territory to any foreign power. So, sa lahat naman po ito hindi lang sa isang bansa, sa lahat po ito,” she said.
[Translation: The president has said before that we will not surrender even a square inch of our territory to any foreign power. That applies to all countries, not just one.]
Castro cited assurances from the National Water Resources Board, which said resources within the project area are sufficient to meet project requirements without affecting the supply for surrounding communities.
She said the regulator is in coordination with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will oversee environmental compliance through an environmental impact statement, an environmental management plan and regular monitoring by the Environmental Management Bureau and Multipartite Monitoring Teams.
“The government welcomes innovation, but it must comply with strict environmental standards from mining to manufacturing,” Castro said.
Responding to reports that some farmers could be displaced by the project, Castro said no such cases have been confirmed.
“Kung mayroon man na madi-displace na mga farmers ay sisiguraduhin po ng gobyerno na hindi po sila mawawalan ng kanilang pagkakakitaan kung iyan po ang mangyayari. Pero sa ngayon po ay wala pa pong nakikita pong ganiyan.”
[Translation: If farmers are displaced, the government will ensure they do not lose their livelihood. But as of now, we have not seen such a situation.]
The BCDA earlier said the Philippines and the United States are targeting November to sign the Pax Silica framework agreement.
