Sara Duterte laughs off 'Pax Silica' confusion, gov't assures progress

Vice President Sara Duterte could only laugh when asked about her reaction to her viral remarks regarding the proposed "Pax Silica" artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City, Tarlac. When questioned on Wednesday about Pax Silica, a multi-nation, multibillion-dollar project in tech manufacturing, Duterte stated, "What? Fox Silic – Fox Silic? I have no… I cannot comment on that," indicating a lack of awareness about the initiative, which President Marcos has been championing. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Claire Castro, however, remained tight-lipped when asked about the Vice President's statement. "I have no comment. We have seen the video. What do we need to explain? Let's leave it at that," Castro said. President Marcos has backed the establishment of Pax Silica, emphasizing the Philippines' move into strategic and emerging industries. The project involves the creation of Pax Silica New Clark City, a 1,620-hectare industrial and innovation district integrating semiconductor packaging, electronics, AI computing, research and development, and mineral processing. Castro assured that the government would consider all issues raised concerning the project. The framework agreement for the project is expected to be signed in November. Regarding concerns about the project's environmental impact raised by Capas, Tarlac Mayor Butch Rodriguez, Castro stated that initial meetings have been held with local governments and relevant agencies on New Clark City's development plans. This incident raises questions about information sharing within the Philippine government and transparency in policy-making processes, especially for major infrastructure development projects. For initiatives attracting significant foreign investment, unified understanding among stakeholders and clear communication with local communities are crucial.