MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will not sign the agreement for the US-backed Pax Silica project during the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summit, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) saying the ambitious development deserves a moment of its own.

DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo confirmed on Tuesday, November 10, that the government would instead give priority to regional initiatives during the summit, which the Philippines will host from November 15 to 18.

“We do not want to distract attention or take away attention from the regional initiatives that ASEAN and the Philippines are proposing,” Rodolfo told reporters. “Equally important also is we would like to give the project its own dedicated moment. So if there will be a signing, there will be some finalization, conclusion, it would be on its own.”

The signing had reportedly been targeted for November, coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit next week.

However, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton clarified on November 7 that no announcement on Pax Silica had been planned during the summit. He also stressed that decisions would be made in consultation with the Philippine government and affected stakeholders.

“Precisely because it’s a significant, transformative project, […] we do not need to piggyback it with another important event,” Rodolfo said at the sidelines of the Fourth ASEAN Investment Forum.

Despite the delayed timeline, Rodolfo said the government remains optimistic that an agreement for Pax Silica could be signed before the end of 2026.

“I think we’re still on track towards having an agreement by the end of this year,” he said. “And if we’re able to do that, then the timeline for the two-year development period, master planning, everything, is still on track.”

The trade undersecretary said he was “hopeful” given that there’s “no significant substantive issue that would prevent us from signing,” and that there was a “clear convergence of what we would like to happen, what we envision for the advanced manufacturing hub.”

Pax Silica is eyed to be a roughly 1,600-hectare development in New Clark City, Tarlac. The initiative seeks to strengthen supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and other advanced technologies.

The project has, however, faced opposition from environmental groups, farmers, and indigenous communities over concerns about displacement and its potential energy and water costs.

Rodolfo denied that the delay in the signing was related to pushback on the project, adding that consultations with affected stakeholders have been ongoing and were always part of the process. – Rappler.com

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