ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government is positioning young Ilonggos to compete for thousands of high-skilled jobs expected from the proposed Pax Silica, with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. pushing early training in artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, 3D printing and other emerging fields.
Defensor said the province’s newly established school-based MoRProGRes TechnoHub in Cabatuan town could help develop the future workforce needed by major technology investments such as the planned Pax Silica hub in Tarlac, which is projected to generate as many as 190,000 high-quality jobs nationwide.
Pax Silica is a United States-led international initiative aimed at securing global supply chains for advanced technologies like semiconductors, AI, and critical minerals. Involves dozens of partner countries cooperating on data infrastructure, logistics, and mineral refining to reduce reliance on single-nation dominance (specifically targeting dependencies on China).
Defensor welcomed the proposed development in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, saying the Philippines needs to accelerate its adoption of advanced technologies to remain competitive.
“That is very welcome. It is very welcome because we should catch up,” Defensor said when asked for his reaction to the Pax Silica.
He said Iloilo is already moving in the same direction as the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing the provincial government’s P15-million MoRProGRes TechnoHub at the Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School — described as the country’s first school-based technical-vocational education facility of its kind.
“Sa kada hambal sang Presidente, we are happy that we are the same direction. That is why we have a technohub sa high school kay we’re thinking of the same thing. Gusto naton mag-catch up sa artificial intelligence, drone development, 3D printing, something like that. And we can have a smaller version of that here in Iloilo,” Defensor said.
Defensor said developing young people through the TechnoHub could prepare them to become part of the future human resource pool for Pax Silica, particularly in information technology, AI and related fields.
With many young Ilonggos interested in emerging technologies, the governor said he wants the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of Education (DepEd) to partner with the TechnoHub to equip high school students with relevant skills and training.
The Philippine Pax Silica hub is a proposed high-tech manufacturing and innovation center under the Luzon Economic Corridor aimed at positioning the country as a key player in global supply chains for semiconductors, AI and critical minerals.
The proposed New Clark City development is expected to create up to 190,000 high-quality jobs and could attract between US$40 billion and US$70 billion in investments once fully developed.
The massive investment is also expected to open career opportunities for Filipino engineers, researchers, computer science graduates and other highly skilled professionals, allowing more of them to pursue technology careers in the Philippines./PN
