New clark city: The planned artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Central Luzon is projected to scale up investments in the Philippines, with the head of Converge ICT Solutions discounting it as a threat to local internet connectivity providers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Converge ICT Solutions chief executive officer Dennis Anthony Uy said the US-led Pax Silica project, planned to be established at a four-acre site in New Clark City in Tarlac, "is good for our country." He emphasized that the project will boost investments in the domestic economy, particularly in infrastructure and water, and provide job opportunities.

When asked whether the country is ready for this project, Uy confidently responded, "Yes." He further elaborated, "Along the way, we'll be ready. Until when will we be ready?" noting that Filipinos are being disadvantaged by limiting the opportunities for them. Uy also mentioned that Converge ICT Solutions is willing to provide data services and AI infrastructure and computing in the proposed project since it already has a data center in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Trade officials have stated that there will be no major data centers established in the AI hub, but small ones that will be operated by the locators or the manufacturers for their own use. In general, Uy expressed that hyperscalers, or major data centers catering to global clients, are not threats to domestic internet service providers, but instead are a boost to local capacity. He added, "We need to bring them here so that we can earn in income tax, we can earn in VAT (value added tax)."