The US and Philippines are accelerating plans for a 4,000-acre AI and semiconductor supply chain hub in New Clark City under the Pax Silica initiative. Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg visited the site with over a dozen American companies, marking the first high-level inspection of what would be the programme's inaugural 'AI-native industrial acceleration hub.' The Philippines' Bases Conversion and Development Authority has allocated 1,618 hectares and offered a two-year lease grace period, but rejected a US request for diplomatic immunity at the facility. The hub is designed to support AI computing infrastructure, semiconductor packaging, and critical mineral processing, fitting into a broader US strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese-dominated supply chains. Groundbreaking is targeted before end of 2028, though unresolved questions around legal jurisdiction, investor protection, and diplomatic balancing with China remain.
