Statement on the Pax Silica Initiative in the Philippines

There is a global AI technological race unfolding between the United States and China (Lang et al., 2026), and developing countries such as the Philippines are caught in its fire. Due to this, Pax Silica stands as the United States’ flagship project aimed at advancing its global dominance with AI technological advancement (US Department of State, 2026). In this spirit, it aims for continuous collaboration with a myriad of countries, including the Philippines.  

In April 2026, the Philippines joined the US-led Pax Silica coalition, and while the government continuously pushes the idea that the partnership will boost the country’s role in the global AI value chain, as heard recently in President Bong Bong Marcos’ recent SONA (Gita-Carlos, 2026)—human rights and pro-environment groups are alarmed. The proposed Pax Silica initiative in the Philippines is a 4000 acre data center to be built in New Clark City, and proponents such as the DENR and BCDA assert that the project will bring sustainable growth and technological advancement for the Philippines. However, human rights groups and other concerned NGOs raise concerns over the high risk of human displacement of disadvantaged groups, severe resource strain, and irreversible harm to the Philippines’ environment. These groups cite historical precedents of development projects in the Philippines that have failed to deliver equitable benefits while imposing social and environmental costs.

Additionally, critics argue that Pax Silica is fundamentally driven by geopolitical competition; it is emboldened by the global AI race between the United States and China. They contend that the initiative reflects the desire of major and middle powers to monopolize the AI industry and assert technological dominance—a dynamic that would inevitably perpetuate global inequality. From this perspective, developing countries, such as the Philippines, risk being treated as mere sites for resource extraction, wherein economic growth is prioritized over the needs and rights of local communities. The Pax Silica initiative begs the question: despite official assurances, will the benefits of the partnership even reach ordinary Filipino workers, or will it be a reflection of past development projects that have time and time again profited only foreign actors? 

Proponents maintain that we live in a world wherein AI will eventually shape the future, and to participate early and shape its foundations would be to set our country up for future success. Meanwhile, civil society groups call for greater transparency and meaningful consultations with affected communities— maintaining that economic growth is useless without human development. As the initiative continues to move forward, stakeholders continue to debate its implications for the Philippines’ sovereignty, environmental justice, and global equity. 

It is clear that beyond the potential harms that Pax Silica’s initiative brings to our country, the support of this initiative also makes us complicit in perpetuating global inequality. While MUN-UPD recognizes the importance of technological development, it should never come at the expense of human rights. Therefore, as diplomats ng bayan dedicated to serving the people at both the national and international level, MUN-UPD is firmly against Pax Silica. With this, the organization encourages citizens to exercise their right to question the motives for such partnerships and advocate for a specific type of development: one that genuinely benefits the people on the ground. 

For Solidarity Across Borders.