Globe Telecom is urging the Philippine government to include local companies in the planned Pax Silica hub, a semiconductor and artificial-intelligence industrial project envisioned for New Clark City. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the initiative could attract $40 billion to $70 billion in infrastructure investments and generate as much as $200 billion in annual exports, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. The project is still under development, with groundbreaking discussed as early as 2028 and full development expected over decades.
The planned enclave, now also referred to as the Clark Advanced Manufacturing Park, is expected to focus on semiconductors and other electronics components. Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said Philippine companies already have capabilities that could complement government efforts as opportunities become clearer. His comments point to a broader technology question: whether local telcos, suppliers, universities and manufacturers will participate in the value chain rather than only provide services around foreign-led investment and imported equipment, with local jobs growth.
The project’s infrastructure demands will shape that conversation. The Inquirer reported that Pax Silica could require about three gigawatts of power and 39 billion liters of water annually. Government agencies have ruled out data centers for the New Clark City site because of those requirements, while Batangas is being considered for AI compute data centers and other digital infrastructure under a wider Philippine technology-corridor plan. That division suggests the hub will combine manufacturing in Clark with compute and connectivity investments elsewhere.
Globe said telcos have a natural role because advanced manufacturing, cloud computing and AI depend on resilient digital infrastructure. The company’s position is not a confirmation that a specific facility or investor has been awarded to Globe; it is a call for private-sector participation while the master agreement is still being developed. For the Philippines, the opportunity will depend on reliable power, water, fiber, skills and transparent investment rules. Those foundations will determine whether Pax Silica becomes a real technology cluster or only a long-term proposal.
Sources:Philippine Daily Inquirer·BCDA
