Akbayan Partylist on Friday called on Congress to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the Pax Silica project, stressing that major foreign investments must be evaluated based on their impact on Philippine sovereignty, economic development, labor rights, environmental protection, and national security.
In a statement, Akbayan said investments should not only bring capital into the country but must also contribute to technology transfer, quality employment, skills development, and opportunities for Filipino businesses.
"The issue has never been whether foreign investments come from the East or the West. The real question is whether it serves the Filipino people," Akbayan said.
The group emphasized that while the Philippines should welcome investments that strengthen industrial capacity and innovation, foreign projects must avoid creating excessive economic dependency, market concentration, or undue foreign influence in strategic sectors.
Akbayan urged lawmakers to examine the project's economic, technological, labor, environmental, national security, cybersecurity, and data governance implications. The proposed inquiry should also review the transparency of negotiations, ownership structure, regulatory compliance, incentives granted, and safeguards against possible risks to critical infrastructure.
The group also raised concerns over the planned hyperscale data centers and supporting infrastructure under Pax Silica, saying Congress should assess their potential impact on electricity and water resources, agricultural land conversion, and host communities in Capas and Bamban.
Akbayan said local governments, workers, trade unions, farmers, indigenous communities, environmental experts, civil society groups, and industry stakeholders should be consulted before any long-term commitments are finalized.
The party stressed that the discussion on Pax Silica should also serve as an opportunity for the country to develop a clear industrial strategy focused on building key industries, advancing technology, and creating quality jobs.
"Innovation must strengthen Philippine sovereignty, create shared prosperity, and advance a technologically capable, economically resilient, democratically governed, and socially just nation," Akbayan said.
