Issues concerning the US-led Pax Silica artificial intelligence (AI) industrial hub that is planned to be built in the country will be addressed, Malacañang said.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Thursday, July 30, that issues such as electricity use, water use, and non-coordination with local stakeholders are being taken into consideration.

"Actually, kaya nga po ito ay inihahayag ng ating pamahalaan patungkol sa Pax Silica, dahil kung sinuman po iyong ibang mayroong isyu patungkol sa diumano magiging problema sa suplay ng tubig, sa suplay ng kuryente, lahat pong ito ay isinasaalang-alang ng pamahalaan (Actually, this is precisely why the government is making this announcement regarding Pax Silica. For anyone who may have concerns about the alleged potential problems involving the supply of water or electricity, all of these matters are being taken into consideration by the government)," Castro said in a Palace briefing.

According to Castro, provisions under the deal might change.

"May chance po na mabago ang ibang mga provisions. Kung ano po iyong maaari pang mas maging maganda ang idulot sa ating mga kababayan, sa bansang Pilipinas and of course sa mga partners, iyon naman po ay isinasaalang-alang (There may be a chance for the provisions to chnage. Whatever can bring greater benefits to our fellow Filipinos, the Philippines as a nation, and of course our partners, those are the things being taken into consideration)," Castro said.

The Palace official further said that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority has conducted initial meetings with local government units and government agencies on New Clark City’s Development Plans including the proposed Pax Silica Initiative.

The BCDA said "these consultations are ongoing and we will continue to work closely with these stakeholders as the project progresses."

It also disclosed that it is undertaking ground assessment activities in the area "to ensure that planning and decision-making are based on accurate assessment on the ground and are conducted in a responsible and orderly manner."

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos spoke about the US-led Pax Silica initiative amid growing opposition, saying it would be a "center in the global AI and technology value chain."

Pax Silica Industrial Hub is planned to be developed on a stretch of land roughly 1,620 hectares inside New Clark City, Tarlac.

The Philippines joined the US-led international coalition launched in December 2025 to secure supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence technologies.

The project has been steadily opposed by a coalition of farmer groups, environmental scientists and advocates, who raise various concerns such as mass displacement, water scarcity, mining expansion and pollution, food security, economic dependency, and sovereignty and legal jurisdiction.