By Eileen Mencias
The Philippines and Israel are laying the groundwork to deepen cooperation under the U.S.-led Pax Silica Initiative, with plans to position New Clark City as a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial hub and potential landing pad for Israeli technology firms.
The Pax Silica Initiative, led by the United States, aims to build a trusted supply chain among 13 allied countries for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo met officials of Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry in Jerusalem to discuss cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors and innovation.
The Israeli delegation included officials from the Foreign Trade Administration, among them Oded Forer, head of the Export and Investment Promotion Division, and Yifat Alon Perel, senior director for Trade Policy and Agreements.
DTI said both sides explored ways to strengthen supply chain resilience under the Pax Silica framework, including identifying areas for early-stage cooperation between Manila and Jerusalem.
Rodolfo presented investment opportunities for Israeli technology firms in the planned AI-native Industrial Acceleration Hub in New Clark City, located along the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The hub is being positioned as a platform for allied manufacturing and advanced technologies, with focus areas including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced computing and critical minerals.
Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo has described the Luzon AI Corridor as potentially the Philippines’ “last real chance for economic leapfrogging,” saying it could shift the country toward a productivity- and innovation-driven economy.
Rodolfo’s visit also aimed to explore wider trade and technology partnerships and examine Israel’s participation in Pax Silica, particularly its cooperation with the United States in microchips, advanced computing and artificial intelligence.
Aside from meetings with the trade ministry, he also met officials from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israel National AI Directorate and the Israel Innovation Authority, as well as other members of Israel’s technology and trade ecosystem.
