Guv eyes Iloilo version of Pax Silica tech hub

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. expressed support for the Philippines-U.S. Pax Silica technological partnership, saying the provincial government’s own ongoing tech efforts in high schools could help the province develop its own version of the U.S.-led initiative.

During his press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 12, the governor acknowledged that he did not know much about the more intricate details of Pax Silica, but remarked that the program was “very welcome,” citing the country’s position on technological advancement.

The governor tied his support for Pax Silica to his administration’s initiative of setting up the MoRProGRes Techno Hub in high schools across the province.

Defensor said the Techno Hub, coupled with the presence of an international airport in Cabatuan, could bring a local version of the initiative here.

He also teased an upcoming partnership with a yet-unnamed private sector partner, in line with his administration’s goal of developing a growth center in Iloilo that would host light industries.

“[W]e should catch up. […] We want to catch up with AI [and] 3D printing, something like that. We can have a smaller version of [Pax Silica] here in Iloilo because we have an international airport,” Defensor said.

“Usually, the products of those things, you could put them on a plane and transport. That’s why we are developing our youth here, so they could be a future human resource for Pax Silica. I understand that it is in IT, AI-related fields. […] We don’t want them to go to Luzon. We want them here,” he added.

The provincial government broke ground on the first school-based Techno Hub at the Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

According to a provincial government press release, the project has an estimated cost of PHP 15 million.

The facility will provide learning and exposure on drone technology, artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and information and communications technology (ICT).

Technical-vocational (tech-voc) programs will also be offered in partnership with the Department of Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Pax Silica is a United States-led coalition that seeks to build secure supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence technology among partner nations. The Philippines joined the initiative in April, with the declaration signed by Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, who also serves as managing head and vice chairperson of the Board of Investments.

Under that framework, Manila and Washington announced plans for a 4,000-acre industrial hub inside the Luzon Economic Corridor, billed as the first AI-native industrial acceleration hub under Pax Silica and located along the Subic Bay-Clark-Manila-Batangas corridor. That siting places the initiative’s anchor facility roughly 500 kilometers north of Iloilo, the gap Defensor’s remarks appear aimed at closing.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Pax Silica during Rubio’s visit to Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Defensor noted that the provincial initiative also aligned with Marcos’ pronouncement during his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27.

The President, in his SONA, cited an 81% placement rate for tech-voc graduates and pushed for a ladderized tech-voc program offering pathways into either higher education or specialized employment.

“We are happy to note that we are totally aligned with the direction of the national government, and we are doing something about the things that [Marcos Jr.] mentioned in his SONA,” he said.