ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday has called on the Department of Trade of Industry (DTI) to release related information and documents of all projects under the United States-led Pax Silica.
The statement follows plans to establish more projects in other locations, apart from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City, Tarlac, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo earlier disclosed at a budget hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations.
‘During the interpellation, Undersecretary Rodolfo, himself admitted that data centers are indeed possible under Pax Silica, possibly in other locations outside Clark. That directly contradicts what the government has been telling the public,’ Tinio said.
He further slammed Finance Secretary Frederick Go’s previous remarks, claiming that there are no data centers under the Pax Silica.
‘So the fake news is the government’s own statement that there is no data center in Pax Silica. The concerns of affected communities regarding electricity, water, and environmental impact are entirely valid,’ he stressed.
The solon further raised the involvement of a former senior advisor of a major AI technology provider to the US military, insinuating on Washington’s hidden agenda.
‘In the US, Helberg (US Undersecretary of State Jacob Helberg) has been very explicit: Pax Silica is about securing US supply chains for their defense industrial base. The US military depends on microchips produced in China, and they say they can no longer have the microchips for their missiles, tanks, airplanes, and warships coming from China. That’s the real purpose of Pax Silica,’ he explained.
Tinio, moreover, emphasized the concerns surrounding the 4,000-acre AI industrial hub, such as the massive power and water it requires and the modular nuclear power plants.
He then questioned whether the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and environmental regulations can accommodate the demand needed by the data centers.
‘I am also requesting the Committee on Rules to fast-track a current resolution for the discussion of Pax Silica. The Filipino people deserve full transparency on a project that entangles our country with the US war machine and potentially compromises our sovereignty, environment, and resources,’ he added