US Envoy: No Announcement on Pax Silica During ASEAN Summit - Philippine News Agency

The highly anticipated Pax Silica Economic Security Zone, a proposed high-tech industrial hub in Luzon, will not see a formal announcement during the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

While the arrival of United States President Donald Trump in Manila for the summit—set to run from November 15 to 17—had fueled speculation that a deal might be inked, the US Embassy has officially clarified that no such plans were ever in the works.

The project, which envisions a semiconductor and artificial intelligence infrastructure hub in Capas, Tarlac, remains in the negotiation phase. US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton confirmed that any final decision would only be reached after “full consultation” with the Philippine government. This measured approach appears designed to avoid overshadowing the broader diplomatic agenda of the regional summit.

U.S. Embassy: No announcement about Pax Silica during ASEAN Summit — One News PH

Diplomats Deny Agreement Will Be Signed During Summit

While speculation had grown that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could sign the draft framework during the summit, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said that negotiations are ongoing and it is unlikely the agreement will be finalized at that time. US Ambassador Lee Lipton further denied the possibility of an announcement during the upcoming meeting between President Marcos and President Trump.

“As stated previously and as part of this process, we expect rigorous discussions on impacts to all stakeholders,” Lipton said in a statement. “We look forward to working alongside the government of the Philippines about this exciting initiative to secure supply chains and attract quality investment in support of economic growth and jobs at home for the Filipino people,” he added.

Prioritizing Regional Diplomacy Over Industry Hubs

The decision to decouple the Pax Silica initiative from the summit schedule is a strategic choice by Philippine trade officials. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the government intends to organize a separate ceremony for the master agreement rather than allowing it to compete for visibility with other regional priorities.

“We felt it would be better for the advanced manufacturing hub to have its own moment rather than compete within an already crowded diplomatic agenda,” DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said.

“Other key regional diplomatic and geopolitical initiatives deserve the dedication they merit, particularly given the unique visibility that only an ASEAN summit provides,” he added. Bingcang said that both sides were looking to have the agreement signed during the summit this month.

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Despite the delay, officials insist that the deal is moving forward without major friction. Mr. Rodolfo said that there are no substantial disagreements stalling the negotiations, and the government remains on track to finalize the master agreement before the end of the year. This timeline would keep the proposed two-year development and master-planning phase intact.

Aeta Community Fears Displacement from Project Area

While the diplomatic timeline is uncertain, the project faces scrutiny regarding its potential impact on local communities. The proposed development, which includes plans for an AI data center, has drawn criticism from progressive groups and members of the Aeta community who fear displacement from their ancestral domains.

The scale of the project is substantial; while the total designated area spans over 6,000 hectares, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the actual “buildable zone” covers roughly 3,000-plus hectares.

Pax silica rendering — Photo: BusinessWorld Online

“If they are located within the buildable zone, they will not be left to fend for themselves or lose their place to live, said Claire Castro.”

The government has emphasized that land outside this buildable zone is reserved for Indigenous peoples, and officials have pledged that financial assistance will be provided to anyone displaced by construction. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has already submitted a joint memorandum with the DTI to the Office of the President, and the administration is now waiting for a formal response from Washington to proceed with the draft agreement.

Pax Silica Initiative Stays off ASEAN Summit Agenda

As the Philippines prepares to host over 20 global leaders, the focus remains on the summit’s primary regional objectives. The Pax Silica initiative is currently on hold, with both Manila and Washington saying the project's complexity requires a dedicated process outside the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.