THE available water sources for the operation of Pax Silica at the New Clark City in Tarlac, is sufficient and would not affect the local water requirement in the area, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said.
In a statement, NWRB Executive Director Sevilla D. David Jr. confirmed that the water resources within the project area are sufficient to meet the total water demand of the proposed project without adversely affecting the local water supply.
The NWRB issued the statement in response to concerns aired by environmental groups about the potential environmental and water security impact of Pax Silica’s operation in the Philippines.
‘The project is being planned and developed with the clear commitment that the water needs of surrounding communities will remain as the foremost priority and will not be compromised at any stage of implementation and operation,’ the NWRB chief said.
He said that all planning and development activities are being undertaken in close coordination with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
‘In addition, the National Water Resources Board and the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] are working collaboratively to oversee the water resource allocation. The coordinated approach helps ensure that water use remains sustainable, environmentally responsible, and aligned with broader national development objectives, while safeguarding reliable, safe water access for host and neighboring communities,’ he said.
Pax Silica is a US-led strategic international initiative launched in December 2025 to secure global technology supply chains for the artificial intelligence (AI) era, specifically focusing on semiconductors and critical minerals.
The alliance brings together over a dozen nations-including the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom-to reduce reliance on China’s dominant tech manufacturing and rare earth processing.
The Philippines officially joined the alliance in April this year.
With the country’s still untapped mineral resources and the current administration’s thrust to grab a foothold in the global green metals industry targeting renewable energy development, the Philippines is poised to gain economically in terms of mining, processing, and job generation.
The flagship project is being planned at a 1,620-hectare Economic Security Zone in New Clark City, Tarlac.
It is envisioned as a local ‘Silicon Valley,’ where local minerals will be processed and where semiconductor assembly, testing, and AI infrastructure will be built.
The BCDA has designated the Port of Subic Bay as the preferred maritime gateway for handling incoming high-tech inputs and outgoing components.
Recent news reports said the Philippines and the US State Department are fast-tracking talks to sign a definitive framework agreement by August 2026, and to formally unveil the final deal during the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in November, coinciding with a potential visit from US President Donald Trump.