The Philippines is seeking to join the US-led Pax Silica Initiative while exploring a critical minerals partnership with Canada, as Manila steps up efforts to position itself in emerging supply chains tied to artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.
Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the government is keen to participate in Pax Silica, an initiative spearheaded by the US Department of State aimed at strengthening cooperation among trusted partners in strategic technologies and raw materials.
Speaking at a Philippines–Canada partnership forum in Makati City on March 13, Rodolfo said the initiative aligns with the country’s broader strategy to expand its role in global supply chains for critical minerals and digital infrastructure.
“We are very much interested to be part of Pax Silica,” Rodolfo said, noting that the initiative promotes resilient ecosystems for computing, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and the minerals required to power them.
Manila has already begun deepening cooperation with the US, signing a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development, processing and recycling of critical minerals—including rare earth elements—seen as essential to next-generation technologies.
Rodolfo said the Philippines hopes to forge a similar agreement with Canada, a country widely recognized for its strong mining sector and mineral reserves.
“We hope that with Canada we can also have a critical minerals agreement given the prominence that we’re putting on critical minerals,” he said.
At the same forum, Mary Ng, Canada’s former minister of international trade, export promotion, small business and economic development, said deeper collaboration between the two countries would come at a critical moment for global supply chains.
“The idea of having an MOU or deeper cooperation between Canada and the Philippines on critical minerals is absolutely what needs to happen,” Ng said.
Rodolfo noted that Pax Silica rests on two strategic pillars: securing supplies of minerals vital to defense and high-technology industries, and strengthening AI and digital infrastructure.
“These pillars are very important for us,” he said, pointing out that critical minerals underpin the equipment and components powering the world’s next generation of digital systems.
