Pax Silica is about building empire, exporting the means of Technocratic control and resource extraction from host nations. Despite pushback over minor issues, the leader of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, has widely praised the program, assuring that “no foreign power can exploit local minerals or compromise Philippine territory.” This brings to mind the pirates’ creed of rape, pillage, and plunder. ⁃ Patrick Wood, Editor.

Other government agencies that expressed support for the initiative are the Office of the President, Department of Trade and Industry, BCDA, and the National Water Resources Board.

Political analyst Dennis Coronacion said the Pax Silica project would definitely be identified as one of Marcos’ most ambitious projects even if its operations begin past his term.

Cost But critics warned that the massive technological infrastructure would demand a costly toll.

AI data centers and semiconductor facilities require massive daily cooling volumes estimated at 65 million to 90 million liters of water per day, raising questions as to whether the area can sustain the project without affecting existing supplies.

Also, the high-density energy needs of servers and industrial processing threaten to overburden the local power grid and drive up regional electricity rates.

The footprint targets roughly 1,600 to over 20,000 hectares for industrial lots and supporting renewable energy/reservoir infrastructure, risking local wetlands, watersheds, and agricultural lands.

Environmental and indigenous groups have likewise raised alarms over the potential displacement of thousands of farmers and local Aeta communities.

Because of this, at least 70 organizations have voiced their opposition to the project.

The Momentum Research survey done in August showed that 34 percent of Filipinos were against the project, 26 percent admitted having little to no knowledge of it, while 20 percent say it needs further studies. Whereas, only eight percent are supportive and 11 percent are totally unaware of the planned AI hub.

“There is no technology sharing involved, which is what we need right now instead of just playing as the host of these tech projects,” Dennis Coronacion, an associate professor of Political Science at the University of Santo Tomas, told The Manila Times.

“When they left, we still were not high-tech,” he added.

In a Senate hearing, Bingcang said the project would not rely on groundwater extraction, which he said should be reserved for residential and agricultural use.

The BCDA, he said, was planning to tap surface water from nearby rivers and store it for treatment, using detention tanks to capture excess water, particularly during the rainy season.

Bingcang identified the Bangot River as the project’s closest potential water source, along with the O’Donnell and Abacan rivers.

He said the initial studies showed that the Bangot River alone could yield 130 million to 200 million liters of water.

“So it is far more than what is needed for this project,” he said in Filipino.

The initial assessment, Bingcang said, was conducted during the dry season and that participating industries would be required to recycle water.

“And based on the industry average, at least 70 percent is recycled. So they only have to top up a small amount for their requirements,” he said.

Desalination of seawater is also seen as an alternative water source.

To supply its estimated 3-gigawatt (3 million kilowatts) power requirement, the BCDA said Pax Silica aims to use clean and green energy, including solar farms with an option of battery storage.

On the issue of community displacement, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the government would ensure affected residents would not lose their livelihoods should relocation become necessary.

Coronacion said the entire project, including projected costs and proposed countermeasures, must all be subjected to thorough study.

“Before we agree to this plan, we should do a thorough study. We will see if our concerns about the environment and the displaced local farmers will be addressed. Until those issues are resolved, we should not say yes,” Coronacion said.

Geopolitics AI domination is practically a war between China and the US.

Whoever possesses the most advanced technology has the edge in the rivalry and likely wins, Coronacion said.

“This is the mindset of these dominant powers. They want to exclude their competitors in the AI ecosystem,” he said.

Another issue hounding Pax Silica is the possibility that it could grant foreign entities excessive authority over domestic land, resources, and operational governance.

In response, Marcos assured that no foreign power can exploit local minerals or compromise Philippine territory.