Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Philippines plans US-backed technology hub amid protests over land and resources
Hundreds of activists protested the US-led Pax Silica initiative in Manila, while five people were arrested after clashes with police.
Inside a nearby hotel, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr urged investors to back the scheme at a forum attended by about 600 people.
The Philippines plans a 1,620-hectare technology hub in Luzon, near a former American military base.
The project aims to attract chipmakers and other strategic industries and shift supply chains away from China.
Supporters say it could bring billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs to the Philippine economy.
Indigenous communities, farmers and environmental groups question who will benefit, while land rights, power and water concerns remain unresolved.
The project’s backers are seeking investment, but the account gives no timeline for construction or details on how those concerns will be addressed.
The Philippines plans a 1,620-hectare Pax Silica technology hub near a former American military base in Luzon.
The US-led project aims to attract chipmakers and other strategic industries away from China-centred supply chains.
Backers say it could bring billions of dollars to the Philippine economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Indigenous communities, farmers and environmental groups have raised concerns about land rights, power and water.
Hundreds of activists protested the initiative in Manila earlier this year, and five people were arrested.
- Who
- The Philippine government and supporters of the US-led Pax Silica initiative are promoting the hub. Indigenous communities, farmers and environmental groups have raised concerns.
- What
- The Philippines plans a 1,620-hectare technology hub to attract chipmakers and other strategic industries.
- When
- The project is planned; no construction date is stated. A protest and forum took place earlier this year.
- Where
- Near a former American military base in Luzon; the protest took place in Manila.
- Why
- The hub aims to attract industries away from China-centred supply chains. Supporters say it could bring investment and jobs.
Pax Silica backers
Indigenous communities, farmers and environmental groups
Potential benefits
Pax Silica backers
Backers say the project will inject billions of dollars into the Philippine economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Indigenous communities, farmers and environmental groups
Critics question who will benefit and raise concerns about land rights, power and water.
Project purpose
Pax Silica backers
Backers aim to attract chipmakers and other strategic industries away from China-centred supply chains.
Indigenous communities, farmers and environmental groups
Critics’ concerns focus on unresolved questions about land, power and water.
Hundreds of activists protested outside the Grand Hyatt hotel in Manila as President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr attended a US-sponsored forum inside.
Five people were arrested during clashes between protesters and anti-riot police.
- Planned hub area
- 1,620 hectares (4,000 acres)
- Planned location
- Near a former American military base in Luzon
- Forum attendance
- About 600 investors, industry leaders and officials
- Arrests
- Five people
- Protest turnout
- Hundreds of activists
What people are saying
Junk Pax Silica!