Marcos assures indigenous groups won't be displaced under Pax Silica

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday provided assurances that indigenous communities and burial sites would remain protected as the government advances with the Pax Silica initiative, a U.S.-backed regional semiconductor strategy.

During a question-and-answer session at Malacañang Palace, Marcos stated that the government would handle concerns regarding indigenous peoples with appropriate sensitivity. "We are very sensitive to that," the president said, addressing potential conflicts between large-scale infrastructure development and indigenous rights.

Pax Silica represents a coordinated effort among allied nations to strengthen semiconductor supply chains and reduce dependence on Taiwan for critical chip production. The Philippines, as a key participant, is expected to play a significant role in the initiative's expansion across Southeast Asia.

The president's remarks reflect growing attention to indigenous land rights and cultural preservation in the Philippines, where numerous communities maintain ancestral territories and sacred burial grounds. Government officials have indicated they intend to conduct consultations with affected indigenous groups before implementing major projects under the Pax Silica framework.

The administration has not yet released detailed plans for specific projects or timelines related to the semiconductor initiative in the Philippines.