US Undersecretary Jacob Helberg commits to the Philippines that the Pax Silica Industrial Hub, part of a US-led AI supply chain initiative, will not erode Manila's sovereignty, despite concerns over job creation, farming community displacement, and environmental impact.
The Philippines has rejected a US request to place a new industrial hub in New Clark City under US jurisdiction. Officials stated no special arrangements will be made for the US regarding the hub, which is part of the Luzon Economic Corridor project involving the US, Japan, and the Philippines.
The US State Department announced a 4,000-acre hi-tech industrial hub in the Philippines, the first of its kind operating under US common law on foreign soil. Described as a purpose-built platform for allied manufacturing, the zone will combine American expertise in contract law, regulation and dispute resolution with Philippine workforce, mineral endowments, energy resources and strategic Indo-Pacific positioning.
