Technology · Philippines Bureau
Questions raised over PH ownership of Pax Silica technology
A senior cultural official has questioned the lack of clarity surrounding intellectual property rights and resource ownership at the planned Pax Silica technology hub in New Clark City. The concerns highlight broader questions about domestic control over technological development in the Philippines.
LSN Philippines ·
TARLAC CITY — The Philippines' stake in intellectual property and resources generated by the Pax Silica technology hub planned for New Clark City in Capas remains unclear, drawing scrutiny from cultural and policy experts.
Dr. Michael David San Juan, Commissioner of the Sub-commission on Cultural Dissemination at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), has raised concerns about the absence of public discussion regarding technology ownership and resource management at the proposed facility.
The Pax Silica hub, envisioned as a major technology development center in the Philippines' emerging smart city, has generated significant expectations about attracting investment and fostering innovation. However, San Juan's intervention suggests that key questions about the project's terms and conditions remain unaddressed in public discourse.
The lack of transparency around such arrangements reflects broader concerns in the Philippines about ensuring domestic stakeholders retain meaningful control over technological advancement and the economic benefits it generates. As discussions surrounding the hub's development continue, officials face mounting pressure to clarify the ownership structure and benefit-sharing arrangements with both domestic and international partners.
No official response to the concerns has been reported at this time.