Finance chief Go touts Pax Silica as Phl’s shot at tech supply chain

CEBU, Philippines — Finance Secretary Frederick Go called on Philippine businesses to look past misinformation and focus on the country’s bid to secure a foothold in the global technology supply chain, as Manila seeks to leverage its entry into the US-led Pax Silica initiative.

Speaking at the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Business Summit 2026 at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Go described the country’s participation in Pax Silica as a “generational project” that could help build an industrial ecosystem spanning semiconductors, electronics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

“Stop spreading fake news,” Go told business leaders. He urged companies and investors to understand the facts before reacting to information circulating online.

Go said Pax Silica is aimed at building a secure supply chain for the technology industry, covering products and infrastructure ranging from mobile phones, laptops and computers to hardware and the broader AI ecosystem. The Philippines formally joined the initiative in April, with the proposed industrial hub in New Clark City forming part of the country’s participation.

He said the opportunity was significant because the Philippines was joining a growing coalition of economies seeking to strengthen technology and semiconductor supply chains.

“We almost were not invited to the party,” Go said, emphasizing the need for the Philippines to move quickly to capitalize on its participation.

The government has proposed a technology-focused industrial hub within the Luzon Economic Corridor, with the initial plan covering about 1,600 hectares, or roughly 4,000 acres, in New Clark City, Tarlac. The project is intended to serve as an industrial platform for allied manufacturing and investments linked to AI, advanced technology and critical supply chains.

Go also sought to distinguish the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub from the much broader Luzon Economic Corridor, saying the industrial estate represents only a small component of the corridor’s overall development program.

He dismissed claims that the project would displace farmers within the proposed 1,600-hectare site, calling such reports misinformation.

“There is not a single farmer that is being displaced in the 1,600 hectares,” Go said.

The secretary’s remarks come as the government seeks to attract more high-value investments while improving the country’s position in global manufacturing and technology supply chains.

For Go, the business environment is not an abstract policy discussion but one measured by the predictability and ease with which companies can invest, operate and expand.

“I did 35 years of my life in business,” he said, adding that the government’s task is to restore predictability and improve the ease of doing business.

“We in government strive to give you the confidence to invest, succeed and grow right where you are,” Go said.

He urged Cebu’s business community—including companies beyond Mandaue—to remain optimistic about the country’s economic prospects despite political noise and uncertainty.