Malacañang reassured the public on Wednesday that the Philippine government will not enter into any agreement under the United States-led Pax Silica initiative that puts the country or its citizens at a disadvantage, nor will it tolerate actions that compromise human rights or violate domestic laws.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the assertion following concerns triggered by the United States imposing a 50-percent tariff on imported Canadian products after Canada refused to grant US access to its critical mineral supply.
Pax Silica, a proposed high-tech industrial and innovation hub planned for New Clark City in Tarlac, is designed to integrate the Philippines into global supply chains for advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI) hardware, semiconductors and critical minerals.
Addressing worries over potential US pressure or unfavorable trade terms, Castro emphasized that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. maintains a firm position regarding national sovereignty and public welfare in all investment negotiations.
“Kailangan po natin na magkaroon ng mga investments pero hindi nangangahulugan na ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino ang magdurusa,” Castro stated. “Maliwanag po iyan. Hindi po natin pababayaan kung ano ang itinatalaga ng ating batas, hindi po natin iba-violate ang karapatan ng ating mga kapwa nating Pilipino.”
The administration maintains that foreign investments under the tech initiative must yield clear, domestic benefits, including job creation, technological transfer and economic growth, while operating strictly within the bounds of Philippine environmental and labor laws.