Not to state the obvious but it is becoming obvious that government officials as well as state controlled social media accounts have been ordered to praise and promote the proposed Pax Silica AI data centers.
Aside from the usual suspects like the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Philippine embassy officials in Washington, Bangko Sentral Gov. Eli Remolona recently declared that the Pax Silica project AI and industrial hub in New Clark City may be our last chance at boosting the country’s exports and stop the peso from depreciating further.
Showing perfect timing, Tarlac provincial Governor Christian Yap joined the pro-Pax Silica choir, saying that such a project would generate jobs and boost the local economy. A number of business associations, for their part, have put up the “approach with caution” sign while expressing conditional support.
In an ambush interview, DepDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan was quoted as saying, “The discussions on Pax Silica are still ongoing… Moving discussions pa ‘yan sa Pax Silica.”
“We have to diversify the economy, and things like Pax Silica, to the extent that we’re able to attract investors that promote industrialization, value adding activities, economic activities.”
How on earth can such respected individuals and business organizations lend their reputation and anointing to a project that is still all talk and no facts and, worst of all, no public consultation?
I am presuming that this concerted and orchestrated chorale performance involving government officials and business groups is in response to the growing opposition to AI industrial hubs.
Perhaps the presumption is if the right people and business groups are seen as “supporting” the proposed project, people will calm down. But here’s the thing – all these “product endorsers” don’t have an actual product.
What they are talking about is the “potential” to boost manufacturing and exports, “potential” to generate jobs and boost local economies and the “potential” to attract more investors. What kind of jobs will be available?
All of it is a “maybe,” but mere “potential” does not translate to actual investments of a projected $40 billion or generate thousands of jobs.
In an AI data industrial center, the jobs will be highly technical and specialized skills related to AI and data management will be needed. No vacancy for laborers, not even skilled labor. Only IT scientists!
Is the Pax Silica project a government-to-government agreement? Is it a US government investment, or is the US government and its officials simply using their seal of office to open the door for US businessmen, Trump campaign donors, in order to gain a one sided deal?
From whom and where will the investment funds come? What is the business model, where are the technical details and timeline of the project, what proof of concept has been shown and validated elsewhere?
What firm commitments and guarantees have been made and documented in terms of investments and job generation? What will be the legal framework and guarantees related to the projects and its proponents?
And in the event of legal/financial conflict, where on earth can the Philippine government plead and expect a fair outcome in an arrangement where US laws apply?
How many of these “product endorsers” have actually looked into the negative side of the proposed project based on existing AI data centers in the US?
Have they done their due diligence on the environmental impact, health threats and displacement of communities, not to mention potential threats to national security?
Considering how Donald Trump keeps saying he will bring back jobs to America, why on earth would they invest billions of dollars and jobs in the Philippines? If they only needed the raw material, “why buy the cow when you just get a bottle of milk” or raw materials.
With all the vast lands of the United States why not build the project inside US territory? And why is the proposed site way out of public view? “Out of sight, out of mind” perhaps?
Speaking of public consultation, any person or company wishing to set up shop, construct a building, even a house, needs to present the plans to the affected or concerned residents and local officials.
Only after getting the approval of all parties will the barangay, city hall, etc. issue the necessary clearance and subsequent permits. In the case of the Pax Silica project, we are talking about multiple levels of impact that require consultation and clearance.
Before they work on agreements in Washington, common sense dictates that all concerned government agencies in the Philippines should first conduct tests, research and objectively determine if the project is beneficial and its environmental, social-community impact is manageable.
But here is the first sign of how deceptive AI data centers are. I learned that when “investors” invade communities or states in the US, the first order of things is for people in charge to sign NDAs or non-disclosure agreements.
Government cannot be gung-ho in its approach. True to form, the BCDA lives up to its reputation of being “anti-people and anti-poor” as they evict farmers from ancestral homes and established farmlands way ahead of negotiations between the US and the Philippines!
To be fair, the BCDA is at least offering loose change, unlike in Camp John Hay where retirees and investors were simply locked out and evicted from their homes.
No to Pax Silica! No to AI and industrial data centers!
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