The US-led Pax Silica initiative is said to present an opportunity for the Philippines to attract investment and strengthen its role in the global semiconductor supply chain supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies. Maximizing these opportunities, however, will require a clear, long-term industrialization strategy and greater investment in local human capital.
SyCipLaw Senior Partner Rose Marie M. King-Dominguez, in a recent FINEX Folio column in BusinessWorld Online, noted the initiative’s implications for the Philippines. The article highlights the country’s participation as one of Pax Silica’s signatories and plans for an industrial hub in New Clark City, which proponents say can attract significant investments and improve the country’s manufacturing capabilities. It also notes the concerns over Pax Silica including the potential environmental impact and whether it will deliver on its economic promises.
The article was first published in BusinessWorld Online on August 21, 2026. Find it here.