MANILA, Philippines — November 12, 2026 — International climate activist Greta Thunberg has joined Filipino and international campaigners calling on the Philippines to reject Pax Silica, a United States-led initiative aimed at strengthening global supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals and artificial intelligence technologies.
In a social media video posted on Wednesday, November 11, Thunberg appeared alongside Filipino climate activists and organizers Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Mikaela Loach, Adrian Bonifacio and Kim Saira, expressing opposition to the proposed initiative.
“Labor, land, and minerals should serve the people and the planet, not fuel the wars and ambitions of imperialist powers,” Thunberg said.
The video also expressed support for planned demonstrations opposing US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Philippines for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
Thunberg’s involvement adds international attention to a controversy that has been building in the Philippines for months: whether the proposed technology and manufacturing hub in New Clark City, Tarlac, will deliver the promised investments and jobs without putting pressure on local communities, agricultural land and natural resources.
The debate is becoming increasingly significant as Manila and Washington continue discussions on the initiative’s framework agreement, which the Philippine government hopes to sign before the end of 2026.
However, the United States has clarified that no Pax Silica announcement is scheduled during the November ASEAN Summit. <Cite refs={[“turn993069search0″,”turn993069search1″,”turn993069search2″,”turn565779search9”]}/>
Why Greta Thunberg Is Opposing Pax Silica
Thunberg has become internationally recognized for her climate activism and campaigns demanding stronger action against environmental destruction and climate change.
Her latest intervention focuses on the relationship between industrial development, natural resources and geopolitical interests.
By joining campaigners opposing Pax Silica, she has amplified concerns that large-scale industrial projects should not prioritize strategic interests and corporate investment at the expense of local communities and environmental protection.
The activists’ message centers on the belief that land, labor and mineral resources should benefit the people who live and work in affected areas.
Their opposition also comes amid growing scrutiny of the United States’ efforts to strengthen its position in global semiconductor and artificial intelligence supply chains.
For Filipino campaigners, the question is not simply whether the country should attract advanced technology companies. They want assurances that economic development will not compromise community rights, environmental safeguards or national interests.
What Is Pax Silica and Why Does the Philippines Matter?
Pax Silica is a US-led international initiative designed to build more secure and resilient supply chains for industries that depend on critical minerals, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence infrastructure and related technologies.
The initiative was launched in December 2025, and the Philippines joined as its 13th participating country in April 2026.
Its broader objective is to strengthen cooperation among participating economies and reduce vulnerabilities in strategic technology supply chains.
The Philippines is an important potential partner because semiconductors and electronic products are already among its major export industries.
Under the proposed development, a 4,000-acre industrial zone—equivalent to approximately 1,620 hectares—is being planned in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
The proposed hub forms part of the wider Luzon Economic Corridor, an infrastructure and investment initiative involving the Philippines, the United States and Japan.
Reuters reported that the planned development is intended to support allied manufacturing and strengthen supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, electronics and other strategic goods.
The government sees the initiative as an opportunity to attract higher-value industries, improve the country’s manufacturing capabilities and create skilled employment.
But the project’s proposed location has also placed it at the center of a growing debate over land use, ancestral domains, water availability and environmental protection. <Cite refs={[“turn993069news14″,”turn993069search8″,”turn577246search5”]}/>
Farmers and Aeta Communities Fear Losing Their Land and Livelihoods
One of the strongest objections to Pax Silica comes from farmers and Indigenous communities in and around Capas, Tarlac.
Residents have raised concerns about how the proposed industrial development could affect their homes, agricultural activities and access to natural resources.
In September, Agence France-Presse reported that members of the Aeta Hungey community were uncertain about how much of their land could be affected by the planned development.
Community representatives also raised concerns about the lack of clear information and consultations regarding the project’s potential effects.
Earlier, Philstar reported that farmers and Aeta groups had launched a petition opposing the project, citing concerns about their livelihoods, homes and water resources.
The petition had reportedly gathered nearly 400,000 verified signatures at the time of the August report.
The concerns extend beyond the possibility of physical displacement. Farmers depend on productive land and reliable water supplies, while Indigenous communities maintain cultural, social and ancestral connections to their territories.
For these communities, the issue is whether the promised economic benefits will outweigh the possible long-term effects on their way of life.
The controversy has also prompted broader questions about whether residents are receiving enough information to understand the project’s scope and participate meaningfully in decisions that may affect them. <Cite refs={[“turn674719search7″,”turn577246search2″,”turn577246search4”]}/>
Environmental Concerns: Water, Electricity and Industrial Development
Another major issue involves the resources required to operate a large industrial and technology hub.
Semiconductor manufacturing and advanced industrial facilities can require substantial amounts of water and electricity. Environmental groups and scientists have therefore questioned whether the proposed development could place additional pressure on local resources.
The concerns include:
- Water consumption: Whether the project’s water requirements could compete with agricultural and household needs.
- Electricity demand: Whether sufficient power can be supplied without placing additional pressure on the regional grid.
- Waste management: How industrial waste and potentially hazardous materials would be treated and disposed of.
- Land use: Whether the development could affect agricultural areas, ecosystems and communities.
- Environmental assessment: Whether detailed environmental studies and safeguards will be completed before individual facilities proceed.
The debate is not limited to activists.
In October, Channel NewsAsia reported concerns from residents and experts about transparency, displacement and pressure on resources. The report also highlighted uncertainty among local farmers about the development’s effects on their livelihoods.
Environmental publication Mongabay separately reported that land associated with the planned development overlaps with areas claimed by Indigenous Aeta communities as ancestral domain, adding to questions about land rights and consultation.
These are concerns raised by affected communities and environmental observers; they should not be treated as proof that environmental damage or displacement has already occurred. <Cite refs={[“turn577246search4″,”turn674719search6”]}/>
What the Philippine Government Says About the Project
The government has defended Pax Silica as an opportunity to improve the Philippines’ position in advanced manufacturing and global technology supply chains.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which is involved in developing New Clark City, has sought to clarify what the proposed industrial hub is intended to accommodate.
According to the BCDA’s explanation reported by the Philippine Information Agency, the development is intended to host semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facilities rather than simply function as a massive data-processing center.
The agency has also outlined proposed measures to address concerns about water and electricity.
These include surface-water harvesting, storage, treatment and recycling systems, as well as dedicated power facilities and possible renewable energy options.
The BCDA has said that the proposed development will comply with Philippine environmental laws and that the project site is outside ancestral domains.
The agency has also discussed possible livelihood and employment assistance for affected communities.
These are government assurances and proposed measures. Their effectiveness will ultimately depend on the final project design, environmental assessments, implementation and actual consultations with affected residents. <Cite refs={[“turn577246search3″,”turn674719search9”]}/>
Malacañang Assures Farmers and Indigenous Peoples Will Not Be Neglected
Malacañang has also responded to concerns about possible displacement.
On November 4, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the planned facilities would be located within designated buildable areas.
She explained that the government had identified areas for development while reserving other portions for green spaces, forest reserves and planned agricultural areas.
The Palace maintained that farmers and Indigenous Peoples should not be neglected or displaced by the initiative.
However, critics continue to call for greater transparency and meaningful consultations, particularly with communities whose livelihoods and ancestral claims could be affected.
The central issue remains whether the government’s assurances will be supported by clear legal protections, publicly available environmental assessments and enforceable commitments.
The debate is therefore not only about the proposed project’s economic potential but also about how the government will protect the rights of people living near the development site. <Cite refs={[“turn577246search6″,”turn674719search3”]}/>
Why the Pax Silica Signing Is Not Happening During the ASEAN Summit
The controversy is unfolding ahead of the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit, where US President Donald Trump is expected to participate.
Earlier reports suggested that the Pax Silica framework could be announced during Trump’s visit.
However, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton clarified that no announcement concerning the Pax Silica Economic Security Zone had been planned for the summit.
He said decisions would be made in full consultation with the Philippine government and that discussions would consider the initiative’s impact on stakeholders.
Philippine Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Director Ceferino Rodolfo, meanwhile, said the government remained hopeful that the framework agreement could be signed before the end of 2026.
He explained that discussions with the US Department of State were continuing and that the signing was being treated as a separate matter from the crowded ASEAN diplomatic schedule.
This distinction is important: the Philippines has already joined the broader Pax Silica initiative, but the proposed framework governing the New Clark City industrial hub remains under discussion.
The November ASEAN Summit should therefore not be presented as a confirmed signing event. <Cite refs={[“turn993069search1″,”turn993069search2″,”turn565779search9”]}/>
A Growing Opposition Movement
Thunberg’s participation comes after Philippine organizations and advocacy groups had already begun organizing against the initiative.
In August, civic organizations launched the Network Opposed to Pax Silica, bringing together environmental advocates, scientists, Indigenous groups and other sectors.
The coalition has called for greater transparency and a reassessment of the proposed development.
The movement has also highlighted concerns about the project’s possible impact on communities, water resources, electricity demand and the country’s long-term economic priorities.
Protests have taken place in Manila, including demonstrations connected to government and business events involving the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The opposition reflects a broader debate over how the Philippines should balance foreign investment, national development and environmental protection.
While supporters view Pax Silica as a potential opportunity to move the country into higher-value industries, critics argue that economic promises should not take precedence over public accountability and community rights.
The growing international attention generated by Thunberg’s involvement could bring additional scrutiny to the negotiations and the government’s consultation process. <Cite refs={[“turn885202search10″,”turn885202search4″,”turn885202search5”]}/>
The Bigger Question: Can the Philippines Gain From Pax Silica Without Sacrificing Community Interests?
Pax Silica presents the Philippines with an opportunity to strengthen its semiconductor industry, attract international investment and participate more deeply in the global technology economy.
But the controversy surrounding New Clark City shows that economic development cannot be evaluated through investment figures and projected employment alone.
The government will also need to demonstrate how the project will protect water resources, manage industrial waste, safeguard ancestral claims and ensure that local communities benefit from the development.
For farmers and Indigenous residents, the future of their homes and livelihoods is not an abstract policy debate. It is a question of whether they will remain part of the communities they have known for generations.
For the government, the challenge is to prove that the initiative can deliver economic benefits while respecting Philippine laws, environmental standards and the rights of affected people.
For now, the framework agreement remains under discussion, and the November ASEAN Summit is not expected to produce a Pax Silica signing announcement.
With Greta Thunberg now joining the opposition, the pressure on Manila is growing. The question is whether the government can turn its promises of jobs and investment into a project that also earns the trust of the people whose land and resources may be affected.
