The Philippines’ accession to the Pax Silica Coalition in April 2026 represents a strategic alignment with global efforts to secure silicon supply chains. However, the proposed establishment of a Pax Silica hub in Tarlac raises urgent governance, environmental, fiscal and social concerns. Senate oversight, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments (EIA), environmental compliance certificates (ECC) and public consultations are indispensable prerequisites. Bypassing these safeguards risks undermining democratic accountability, exacerbating resource vulnerabilities and compromising long-term resilience. Introduction The Pax Silica Coalition has expanded rapidly, with more than 30 participating countries. Its ambition is to secure silicon supply chains for advanced technologies, including semiconductors […]...Keep on reading: Pax Silica needs Senate scrutiny before it moves forward