Arya News - Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri suggested the creation of a panel with all senators as members, noting the numerous topics that the American-led Pax Silica project covers.
MANILA – The Senate has been formed into a committee of the whole to allow members to tackle measures in relation to the American-led Pax Silica project.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday suggested the creation of the panel with all senators as members, noting the numerous topics that the project covers.
“We may create a committee of the whole for all the resolutions and topics on the Pax Silica initiative,” Zubiri said during the plenary session.
“Pax Silica is a very important measure that needs to be given undue attention, and the discussions will not be limited to economic affairs and technology,” he added.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian concurred, pointing out that several stakeholders have expressed opposition to the Pax Silica initiative.
“There are a lot of concerns from our constituents. Maraming agam-agam eh… Para magkaroon tayo ng isang direksyon at isang committee report (There are many misgivings / doubts, and, so that we can move in one direction and have one committee report), I will heed to your suggestion,” Gatchalian said.
The committee of the whole will be led by Gatchalian, and the vice chairpersons will be as follows:
Chairman of the committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs Sen. Robin Padilla Chairman of the committee on Economic Affairs Sen. Risa Hontiveros Chairman of the committee on Environment Sen. Raffy Tulfo Chairman of the committee on Foreign Relations Sen. Zubiri Chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Sen. Bam Aquino Pax Silica is a proposed technology and innovation hub for semiconductor and artificial intelligence processing in New Clark City, Tarlac.
The initiative is expected to attract US$40 billion to US$70 billion in investments to the country, as well as jobs for Filipinos.