The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI) are exploring potential Israeli participation in the 4,000-acre PH-US Economic Security Zone in Clark.
The site is envisioned as the first AI-native industrial acceleration hub under the Pax Silica Initiative.
Philippine officials visited Israel to advance trade and technology cooperation. The delegation sought insights into Israeli initiatives under Pax Silica, particularly its collaboration with the United States on microchip production, advanced computing and AI development.
BOI managing-head and DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said both sides explored potential cooperation in critical minerals, including possible calls for proposals, industry webinars and pilot projects in the Philippines involving Israeli startups.
The Philippine team also discussed possible collaboration with semiconductor and microchip design companies Tower Semiconductor, Next Silicon and Ci Semi. The talks focused specifically on production and supply chain integration involving Philippine semiconductor manufacturers.
To address infrastructure security, Rodolfo met with cybersecurity firms Dream Security and Binary Networks. The officials discussed how AI-powered cyber solutions can strengthen the security and resilience of Philippine industries, particularly telecommunications and government agencies.
Rodolfo also engaged stakeholders in Israel’s blue economy sector, which leverages technology and innovation in maritime industries such as fisheries, shipping and port logistics.
Othel V. Campos
He met with the Israel National Center of Blue Economy to discuss Israel’s blue technology ecosystem and research initiatives. He also held talks with biotechnology company Bar Algae, which cultivates microalgae for aquaculture applications.
Rodolfo also met with the Israel Innovation Authority to discuss innovation policy, startup ecosystem development and possible joint research and development initiatives.
At least 20 companies from the United States and the Middle East expressed interest in investing in the Luzon Economic Corridor, specifically targeting a new artificial intelligence-native industrial acceleration hub in New Clark City.
The project falls under Pax Silica, the US Department of State flagship program focused on AI and supply chain security. The Philippines recently became a signatory to the initiative.
During a visit to New Clark City on Monday, US Department of State Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said more than a dozen US companies traveled to the country and expressed interest in joining the initiative.
US Department of State Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg noted that every single company present wanted to potentially participate in the historic effort and added that several of them are billion-dollar corporations looking to join an emerging industrial ecosystem.
The proposed hub will occupy a 4,000-acre industrial zone within the Luzon Economic Corridor and will serve as a staging point for a purpose-built platform for allied manufacturing. The project also aims to tap Philippine reserves of nickel, copper, chromite and cobalt, which are critical minerals for global supply chains.
Rodolfo said five US companies and five firms based in the Middle East plan to invest in the Philippines.
