Palawan Rep. Jose C. Alvarez has appealed to the public not to dismiss the proposed Pax Silica project over concerns about water and energy consumption, saying advances in technology and renewable energy could allow the multibillion-dollar investment to operate without placing undue pressure on the country’s natural resources.
Speaking in an interview on Business360, Alvarez said fears that the project would consume vast amounts of freshwater should be viewed in light of modern industrial technologies, particularly desalination and water recycling.
“Please, the whole country, ‘wag po kayong matakot. Pax Silica is not there to grab all of this natural resource of the country,” Alvarez said.
“Kung walang tubig doon, napakaraming tubig sa dagat. If they need water, they will desalinate.”
He added that desalination technology powered by renewable energy is becoming increasingly practical, allowing large industrial facilities to produce their own water supply instead of relying solely on freshwater sources.
The veteran lawmaker made the remarks as discussions continue over Pax Silica, a proposed technology investment that government officials have described as an anchor project intended to strengthen the Philippines’ position in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. The project is expected to attract foreign investment while generating employment and supporting the country’s growing technology sector.
Alvarez also argued that the country’s renewable energy potential should be developed alongside major investments, saying the Philippines possesses natural resources that could support future energy-intensive industries.
Among the options he cited was biomass derived from Acacia mangium, a fast-growing tree species that has been studied as a renewable fuel source because of its rapid growth and high biomass yield. He also pointed to the country’s untapped hydroelectric resources, saying investments in clean energy should go hand in hand with industrial development.
For Palawan, the discussion carries particular significance.
Known internationally as the country’s “Last Ecological Frontier,” the province has long balanced environmental conservation with resource-based industries. It is also one of the Philippines’ leading producers of nickel, a mineral that has become increasingly important to global supply chains for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies and stainless steel manufacturing.
Nickel mining has contributed employment, exports and local revenues, particularly in southern Palawan. At the same time, the industry has remained the subject of public debate over watershed protection, biodiversity conservation and the long-term environmental impacts of large-scale extraction.
Those experiences have shaped how many Palawan residents view new industrial projects.
Supporters of investments such as Pax Silica believe the country has an opportunity to diversify beyond the export of raw minerals by attracting high-value technology industries that create skilled jobs and encourage innovation.
They argue that digital infrastructure can complement, rather than replace, traditional industries if supported by strong environmental safeguards.
Environmental advocates, however, continue to stress that any large-scale development, whether mining, manufacturing or technology infrastructure, must undergo rigorous environmental impact assessments, transparent public consultations and strict regulatory oversight before implementation.
The debate reflects a broader challenge facing the Philippines; how to attract globally competitive investments while protecting the natural resources that sustain local communities.
But for Alvarez, the answer lies in allowing science and engineering to become part of the solution.
“The Philippines needs investments like Pax Silica,” he said, maintaining that innovation, renewable energy and responsible regulation can enable economic growth without compromising environmental stewardship.
Whether the project ultimately proceeds will depend on government approval, environmental compliance and the results of technical studies that will determine if its projected water and energy requirements can be met sustainably.
As public discussions continue, both supporters and critics agree that transparency and science-based decision-making will be essential in evaluating one of the country’s most closely watched technology proposals.