Pax Silica Project Draws Calls for Deeper Review Over Land, Water Concerns

The Pax Silica project, envisioned as a semiconductor and artificial intelligence hub in New Clark City, has drawn calls for deeper scientific and environmental review. The plan requires 3 gigawatts of power and 39 billion liters of water annually, with current plans relying on a mix of solar power and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for energy and reservoirs combined with advanced zero liquid discharge (ZLD) recycling systems for water.

The project's upfront investments are estimated to be between ₱301 billion and ₱424 billion ($4.9 billion to $6.8 billion), rising to ₱325 billion to ₱484 billion ($5.2 billion to $7.8 billion) over 50 years. The land requirements exceed 20,000 hectares for solar farms and 390 to 780 hectares for reservoirs, far beyond Pax Silica's current 1,600-hectare lease.

The diversion of this land would have significant food security implications, with the affected land potentially feeding an estimated 250,000 to 600,000 Filipinos annually. The trade-off between industrial expansion and food production could increase dependence on imports and vulnerability to global price shocks.