Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed concerns that the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub in New Clark City could trigger water shortages, saying no project would be approved without a sustainable water supply.

Teodoro said manufacturing facilities naturally require large volumes of water but he noted that properly planned industrial estates already have identified water sources.

“That is true, it is true for any manufacturing concern. But there are water sources. In any properly planned industrial estate, the water source is already there,” he told reporters during an interview at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, July 20, when asked about the public’s concerns regarding the proposed facility’s large requirement for water.

Pax Silica, a United States government-led initiative, is a planned 1,618-hectare high-technology industrial hub in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The project forms part of the Luzon Economic Corridor that will connect Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas to support advanced manufacturing and logistics.

The government has identified the site for artificial intelligence computing infrastructure, data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, research facilities, and other technology industries.

However, the project has drawn questions over its expected water demand as critics pointed out that data centers supposedly consume large amounts of water for cooling, while semiconductor plants require ultra pure water during manufacturing.

Critics have raised concerns that the development could put additional pressure on water resources in Central Luzon, particularly during dry months, as the country continues to face water supply challenges in several areas where demand already exceeds available supply while some municipalities still lack reliable access to safe water.

Teodoro, however, said there is no reason to fear a shortage if the project is implemented properly.

“There is no reason to worry. What we should be concerned about is the improper use of water. Water can also be recycled. If you collect water, you can build impounding systems. You can also establish recycling,” he said.

He stressed that environmental regulators would not allow the project to proceed without ensuring that water resources remain sustainable.

“The DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] or anybody will not approve any project without water system sustainability,” Teodoro underscored.

Instead of focusing on fears surrounding the proposed development, the defense chief urged the public to pay attention to illegal industrial operations that he said cause greater harm, citing Chinese manufacturing companies allegedly producing substandard products as an example.

“If there is something people should worry about, they should focus on illegal Chinese factories that are operating everywhere and harming society. Why are they not paying attention to those? They produce substandard steel that is contaminated with other materials that are not helpful. The working conditions are also poor. Those are the things they should focus on, not projects that are needed to strengthen our society,” Teodoro said.