“Huwag kayong maniwala sa matatamis na salita ng mga Amerikano. Negosyo o kalayaan? Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka.” - Heneral Luna (2015 film). The Philippines is not for sale. No data center should be worth the sacrifice of our natural resources. No farmers should have to lose their livelihood in the name of industrialization. And the blood shed to defend this land should not be forgotten simply to make way for technological advancements.

Pax Silica is currently a raging issue in the Philippines. It is a US-led initiative with a goal to create a worldwide supply chain for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and for the creation of semiconductor chips used to make various devices. The Philippines has been identified as a potential host to house one of the major technological infrastructures to date. For others, this may seem like an opportunity worth welcoming, believing in the promise that Pax Silica will bring job opportunities, progress, and modernization to the country. But, progress for whom, exactly? It’s merely just a facade to hide what Pax Silica will truly offer the Philippines. When promises of development are made, the country must ask what is being asked in return. Who will really benefit from this, and at what cost?

One of the most pressing concerns is land. The main headquarters of Pax Silica will be built in New Clark City, with the Philippine government offering 4,000 hectares of agricultural land to build the data center. This would mean sacrificing large amounts of land used for the nation’s food supply. As the rich rice fields are being converted into industrial land, the livelihood and source of income for the farmers are also being put at risk. These are the same lands that have sustained millions of families for years. Kalikasan National Coordinator Cathleen De Guzman also pointed out the possible displacement of 20,000 Aetas and farmers due to the data hub. For a country already struggling with food security, it is ironic to see farmlands being replaced with technological facilities that cannot sustain citizens the same way that farmers have offered food on our table for decades. Technology may represent the future, but food will always remain a necessity. Undoubtedly, the lingering question remains—will Pax Silica really solve the nation’s problems, or create even greater ones that set our progress back?

Apart from this, Pax Silica introduces another great threat to the Philippine’s water system. AI relies on large amounts of water for their cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating. This activity would require the usage of up to 5 million gallons of fresh water daily. This would be an immense risk factor to the country’s resources, especially considering the current state of the shortage in our local water supplies. Every ounce of resources that would be allocated to Pax Silica could instead be used to provide for the families in rural areas, hospitals, and even farms. With the current environmental issues revolving all over the world, water undeniably has become a limited commodity. The question is not simply whether the country has enough water today, but whether it will have enough for everyone in the long-run. 

Even so, some citizens still manage to believe in the vague benefits that Pax Silica promises Filipinos. Job opportunities, modernization, a chance for the Philippines to be involved in more foreign investments. Aspects that the Philippines desperately craves. Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Joshua Bingcang stated that Pax Silica could offer 130,000 to 190,000 job opportunities for citizens. Others oppose that rejecting Pax Silica will also mean pushing away chances for the country to thrive. However, economic growth can be pursued without sacrificing the very resources that sustain the country. What good are technological advancements if farmers lose their source of income and greater pressure is put onto regular citizens for simply having to survive? What would be the use of these innovations if the country has little control over industries built on its own land? These benefits are not guaranteed. Real national progress must benefit all citizens and protect natural resources.

Pax Silica also poses a great threat to the already worsening situation of the Philippines’ energy crisis. According to BCDA, the data hub would require around 3,000 megawatts once built. That is the same amount of electricity that 8.1 million Filipino households consume monthly. Even though BCDA states that Pax Silica would develop its own energy and power resources, citizens still raise the concern whether the country can sustain that amount of electricity for the long-term. Especially in a time where millions of Filipinos already struggle with the rising electricity costs, blindly prioritizing a massive data center without first ensuring sufficient power resources could place a heavier burden on the Philippines’ already strained energy crisis.

The Philippines should welcome new opportunities, but with a critical mindset. Ask questions; who will benefit from this? Will citizens have to suffer? What consequences can it bring to the country? Don’t be blinded by the silver linings, but dig deeper into what lies beneath them. Because once Pax Silica is established, it is here to stay. Look into what it offers the Philippines for the long-term, both pros and cons. Progress means nothing when it comes at the expense of natural resources, the privileges of the citizens, and most importantly, the future of the Philippines. Before opening our doors to foreign investments, ask yourselves over and over again—at what cost?