As discussions around Pax Silica take shape, Globe sees an opportunity for the Philippine private sector to contribute its capabilities and expertise to the country's broader efforts to strengthen its position in the global technology economy. Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said collaboration between government and business will be important as the Philippines explores where it can participate across emerging technology industries and global supply chains.
His view echoes Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala's recent call for Philippine businesses to begin considering where their existing strengths and capabilities could contribute to the opportunities emerging from Pax Silica. Rather than waiting for all the details to be defined, Zobel de Ayala pointed to the value of the private sector starting its own conversations and identifying areas where it could potentially participate.
“We see Pax Silica as an important conversation for the country, and the private sector should be part of it,” Cruz said. “Philippine companies already bring different capabilities to the table, and there is value in looking at how these can complement the government's efforts as the opportunities become clearer.”
The discussion comes as the government begins laying out the possibilities for Philippine participation. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo has outlined a proposed Philippine Technology Corridor with potential nodes covering advanced manufacturing in New Clark City, integrated circuit design and innovation in Metro Manila, AI compute and cloud infrastructure in Batangas, a Pacific-facing connectivity gateway in Aurora, critical minerals in Mindanao, and a potential semiconductor fabrication hub in Bulacan.
Rodolfo has also emphasized that these areas build on industries and capabilities the Philippines has already been developing, rather than opportunities being pursued solely because of Pax Silica. The initiative could provide another avenue to strengthen these efforts and connect the Philippines more closely with a wider international technology ecosystem.
For Globe, the areas of fiberization, connectivity and data centers are where the company could support this evolving ecosystem. AI, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, and other technology-intensive industries depend on reliable and resilient digital infrastructure, giving telecommunications companies a natural role in supporting businesses and emerging technology hubs as plans develop.
“Our role is to make sure that, where connectivity is needed, we are ready to support,” Cruz said. “This is a broader national effort, and each industry will have something different to contribute. What is important at this stage is that the private sector is engaged in the conversation and looking at where it can meaningfully help.”
Globe earlier welcomed the opportunities presented by Pax Silica while recognizing that its implementation will require careful consideration of environmental, resource, geopolitical, and other factors. Government officials have similarly stressed that projects pursued under the initiative would remain subject to Philippine laws, labor standards, environmental requirements, and national priorities.
As the country's plans continue to develop, Globe believes sustained dialogue among government, businesses, academe, and other stakeholders can help identify where Philippine capabilities are best positioned to contribute. For the private sector, this means staying engaged, understanding where the opportunities are emerging, and being ready to bring relevant expertise to the table.
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