The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) today highlighted the transformative potential of the proposed Pax Silica development, an ambitious high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub set to be established in New Clark City.
The project is projected to generate over 130,000 high-quality jobs for Filipino professionals and attract between US$40 billion and US$70 billion in investments upon full development.
Designed as a key node under the Luzon Economic Corridor, Pax Silica aims to shift the Philippines from a exporter of raw materials to a leading manufacturer of high-value goods for global supply chains, specifically in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical minerals.
Speaking at a Palace press briefing, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang emphasized the project’s focus on talent retention and advanced industrial development.
“Our goal, knowing that we have so much great talent in our country, is to create a ‘brain gain’ instead of a ‘brain drain,’” Bingcang said. “We want our engineers, researchers, computer science graduates, and skilled professionals to build world-class careers right here at home.”
Spanning approximately 1,620 hectares within the 9,450-hectare New Clark City, the proposed industrial estate will focus heavily on advanced manufacturing rather than traditional data centers, maximizing direct job creation for the local workforce. Over 30 international companies have already expressed interest in investing in the estate, with the vast majority coming from high-tech manufacturing sectors.
Rather than exporting raw copper and nickel, the facility will focus on processing locally sourced minerals into high-value components essential for next-generation technologies like semiconductors and AI hardware.
Addressing public inquiries regarding the development, BCDA reaffirmed its strict commitment to environmental protection, legal compliance, and community welfare:
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Sustainable Water Resources: BCDA will deploy a surface water harvesting system to store rainwater rather than extract groundwater. The initial facility will supply up to 120 million liters per day—well above the project’s estimated daily demand of 65 million to 90 million liters—offering potential surplus water to nearby local communities.
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Environmental Protections: All project components will be required to secure Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) and adhere to strict oversight from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The development’s master plan reserves 40 percent of the area exclusively for open spaces, parks, and green zones.
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Respect for Indigenous Rights: The project will not displace indigenous communities. The designated Pax Silica site is public land titled to BCDA under its 1992 Charter, while over 15,000 hectares within the Clark Special Economic Zone remain allocated for indigenous peoples in Bamban, Porac, and Floridablanca.
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Commercial Focus: BCDA clarified that Pax Silica is purely a commercial initiative and will not host defense-related activities or on-site mining operations.
The Philippines joined the Pax Silica coalition in April as its 13th member, a network that has since grown to over 30 participating nations.
Contract negotiations for the project are expected to begin later this year. The formal planning stage is slated for 2027, with ground construction anticipated to commence in early 2028. BCDA remains committed to open stakeholder consultations and public feedback as the project progresses.
