“We do not want to distract attention or take away attention from the regional initiatives that ASEAN and the Philippines are proposing,” said Ceferino Rodolfo, Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on Tuesday.
The Philippines and the United States will not sign the master agreement for the Pax Silica initiative during the 49th ASEAN Summit, which takes place in Manila from November 15 to 17, 2026. Despite the change in schedule, Philippine trade officials maintain that the project remains on track for completion by the end of 2026.
Separate Timing for Manufacturing Hub
The Pax Silica initiative, a US-led effort to establish a network of supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals, was originally targeted for a November signing to coincide with the visit of US President Donald Trump.
However, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton clarified on November 7 that no announcement for the project had been planned for the summit, citing a need for “rigorous discussions on impacts to all stakeholders.”
DTI Undersecretary Rodolfo emphasized that the government prefers to provide the “transformative project” with its own dedicated moment. “Precisely because it’s a significant, transformative project, […] we do not need to piggyback it with another important event,” he said. He confirmed there is “no significant substantive issue that would prevent us from signing” the agreement later this year.
Rodolfo, who also serves as the managing head of the Board of Investments, stated during the Fourth ASEAN Investment Forum in Makati City that the delay is simply a matter of timing.
He denied that opposition to the project caused the delay, adding that consultations with affected parties have been part of the process. If the legal framework is signed before 2026 ends, officials say the timeline for a two-year period involving master planning and development remains achievable.
The US Embassy in Manila confirmed on Saturday that no major announcement regarding the Pax Silica Economic Security Zone in Luzon is planned for the upcoming summit. Ambassador Lipton said that decisions would be made in full consultation with the Philippine government at the appropriate time.
He added that the US looks forward to working with the Philippine government on this initiative to secure supply chains and attract investment to support jobs and economic growth for Filipinos.
New Clark City Development Promises Revenue and Jobs Despite Local Concerns
The proposed development in New Clark City, Tarlac, spans approximately 1,620 hectares. Supporters view the hub as a major opportunity to attract high-tech investment, with estimates suggesting it could generate up to P180 billion in annual revenues and nearly 200,000 jobs. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has described Pax Silica as the centerpiece of the nation’s effort to become a major participant in the global advanced manufacturing and AI industry.
However, the project has faced scrutiny from environmental advocates, indigenous communities, and academics. Dr. She said that while the Philippines and Indonesia account for more than 70 percent of global nickel production, the country must navigate the “resource curse” to ensure long-term economic benefits for its citizens.
Dr. Jelaine Gan of the UPD-CS Institute of Biology pointed out that the facility could require between 65 and 90 million liters of water every day, an amount comparable to the total daily residential water usage of Angeles City or Baguio City. This volume is equivalent to using 26 to 36 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily, or more than 13,000 pools per year.
Community concerns have also been amplified by public figures. Broadway icon Lea Salonga shared a video on her Instagram Story, originally produced by the progressive cultural organization Panday Sining – Rektikano, which focused on the municipality of Capas, Tarlac.
The video warned of the destruction of homes, lives, and lands due to the project. Earlier this year, activists clashed with anti-riot police near the Grand Hyatt hotel in Manila while protesting the initiative.
Academic discussions are also ongoing. On November 11, 2026, the academic seminar and panel discussion titled “Pax Check” was scheduled at De La Salle University’s Andrew Gonzalez Building. The event, a collaboration between Ley La Salle (LLS), The Organization of American Studies (AMSTUD), and the DLSU Political Science Society (POLISCY), aims to examine the economic, political, legal, and environmental dimensions of the initiative.
Moving Toward 2027 Development
If the master agreement is finalized by the end of 2026, the government expects the project to proceed according to its original timeline. “And if we’re able to do that, then the timeline for the two-year development period, master planning, everything, is still on track,” Rodolfo said.
The initiative is intended to serve as a key component of the Luzon Economic Corridor, focusing on advanced manufacturing rather than data center operations.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has already submitted a memorandum for the Pax Silica Initiative to serve as a guide for final negotiations with the US.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the Philippines is currently waiting for a response from the US regarding the draft agreement. Officials are expected to include a clause in the agreement that explicitly protects Philippine sovereignty over projects within the initiative in New Clark City.
