Cagayan de Oro multi-stakeholder dialogue tackles Pax Silica

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To address growing concerns over Pax Silica, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro-Commission on Social Apostolate and the Samdhana Institute convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue on Tuesday at the San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral here.

The whole-day event, themed “Opportunities, Risks and Responsibilities for People, Planet and Peace,” gathered members of the Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity at the Santiago Hayes Hall.

Discussions centered on how Pax Silica impacts local communities, the environment, livelihoods, technology, and regional peace-building efforts.

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READ: Pax Silica brings promise – but at what cost?

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In the country, the Pax Silica hub is proposed in New Clark City, Tarlac. It is envisioned as a semiconductor and artificial intelligence ecosystem within the Luzon Economic Corridor.

Jaybee Garganera, Alyansa Tigil Mina national coordinator, highlighted the absence of an industrial plan and the need for a “full-spectrum engagement” to guide the nation’s industrialization efforts.

During his presentation on the environmental risks tied to tech infrastructure, Garganera pointed out the massive resources required for data centers, noting they require up to 130 million liters of water a day.

“Yang 130 million liters a day, 600,000 na households ang makikinabang diyan (The 130 million liters a day could cover the use of 600,000 households),” he said.

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Organizers emphasized the necessity of the conversation to forge a more informed, inclusive, and responsible path forward for all affected sectors.

Erwin Quiñones, Samdhana Institute’s Lifespace Program head, told the Inquirer that the issue on Pax Silica “is another US security framework aimed at stabilizing its source of minerals for so-called peace.”

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“But the lack of transparency and clarity on the impacts of Pax Silica might fuel more social and environmental instability inside the country and in our region,” he continued.

Quiñones pointed out that Pax Silica requires mineral deposits, which are abundant in Mindanao that “has caused decades of tension among communities.”

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“Pax Silica’s drive to increase demand and expand extraction will further undermine community rights while endangering the environment and local biodiversity,” he said. INQ