2026 has been a very disappointing year for the Philippines in terms of economic growth, foreign investments, inflation and foreign exchange. There is still hope, however, with the ambitious Pax Silica initiative. That said, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) sees investments worth over P100 billion on Pax Silica, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…
INVESTMENT APPROVALS of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) are expected to exceed P100 billion this year, fueled by growing investor interest in New Clark City and upcoming projects under the US-led Pax Silica initiative.
“If we count the whole year, we will breach P100 billion in investments,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang said during a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Monday.
“In a few years, we might be at the same level of the BoI (Board of Investments) in terms of investments generation,” he said.
The BCDA’s project pipeline includes the P25-million expansion of logistics apron and access roads, as well as the construction of a P155-million runway in Clark International Airport (CIA).
Also in its pipeline is the construction of a P1.4-billion apron to support logistics firms within CIA, along with a P10-billion runway and taxiway project.
“Last week, we approved the procurement for the construction of the apron. It will serve as the parking space for FedEx and UPS planes, and other logistics companies going to put up business in Clark,” Mr. Bingcang said.
Mr. Bingcang also noted that Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. is building a 106-hectare industrial park in New Clark City. Construction is expected to begin within the fourth quarter of this year.
BCDA also plans to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) to build economic housing units in New Clark City for workers based in the area.
He also said that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has issued a no-objection letter for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
“So, we’re seeing now the greenlight for this project to extend all the way to New Clark City,” Mr. Bingcang said.
The 147-kilometer NSCR will connect Malolos, Bulacan with Clark International Airport, and Tutuban, Manila with Calamba, Laguna.
The BCDA is also looking to bid four hectares of land near the Market! Market! commercial property in Taguig City by the first quarter of 2027.
“Only the mall was renewed by Ayala Land, Inc. The rest will be open for public bidding… that will be the site for the Mega Manila subway station in BGC (Bonifacio Global City),” Mr. Bingcang said, noting that about four Japanese developers are interested in the property.
Meanwhile, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the artificial intelligence (AI)-native industrial hub in New Clark City in Tarlac under the US’ Pax Silica bloc is one of several “nodes” that will build the “Philippine technology corridor” connecting the technology value chain across manufacturing, minerals, talent, and digital infrastructure.
“Viewed separately, they are projects, but viewed through the AI lens, they become an ecosystem that creates long-term competitive advantage,” Mr. Rodolfo said at the same event.
He said the technology corridor also includes the National Capital Region (integrated circuit design hub), Batangas (an AI compute hub), Bulacan (wafer fabrication facility) and Mindanao (minerals).
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think potential huge investments on Pax Silica will be realized in the near future? Do you think a lot of people here in the Philippines lack a full understanding of Pax Silica?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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