Marcos gives ‘high priority’ to luring semicon, AI investors

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June 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has directed agencies to offer perks that will attract semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) investors, describing as a “high national priority” the luring of high-impact industries to the country.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Marcos regards the effort to attract such firms to the Philippines as a “high national priority” because of the potential benefits stemming from job generation, technology transfer and economic boost.

“This is the skills base we have at the moment: three million high-value, technology-driven and future-ready jobs,” Recto said, noting that the semiconductors and electronics industry accounts for two-thirds of the country’s exports.

“The President’s order is to move forward the assets we have into making us (a) semiconductor and AI hub in Asia,” he added.

Recto said the administration wants more factories to rise in the Philippines.

“We want more Filipino engineers, technicians and researchers building their futures here,” Recto said.

According to a statement released by Recto’s office over the weekend, the government is using the Luzon Economic Corridor as an investment channel for semiconductor and AI companies. It has also activated the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council, a panel led by Recto.

The corridor is a key infrastructure and economic initiative with the US and Japan designed to boost connectivity across Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas and accelerate trade, investment and regional development.

Recto also thanked Texas Instruments for its confidence in the Filipino workforce and its commitment to the Philippines as a manufacturing and innovation hub. He described the company, which has been operating in the country for more than 40 years, as “a pioneer and an innovator.”

“Texas Instruments is a strong example of a company that has placed its confidence in the Filipino worker, the Filipino engineer and the Philippines as a manufacturing and innovation hub,” Recto added.

The Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Industry seeks to raise electronics exports to $110 billion by 2030 by moving into higher-value segments like integrated circuit design, advanced packaging and semiconductor manufacturing.

Recto recently conducted an aerial inspection of the US-led Pax Silica site in New Clark City, which is envisioned as the Philippines’ first AI-native industrial acceleration hub. The 4,000-acre development aims to host semiconductor fabrication facilities, critical minerals processing plants, hyperscale data centers, AI infrastructure, advanced research facilities and other high-value industries.

“Pax Silica presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Philippines to host industries that will shape the future of the global economy,” Recto said.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority said more than 50 firms, including several trillion-dollar technology companies, have expressed interest in investing in Pax Silica, which was launched last April.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go, BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo also attended the site inspection.