Pax Silica: Building a huge AI Data Center in the Philippines

[stadus]

I would not question what Pax Silica can bring to the Philippines. Surely it can create jobs and help the country become more advanced.

My concern is the natural resources that may be damaged just to bring these big companies in. Thats also what I keep reading in many comments, especially about its possible negative impact on the environment.

So for those who are experts on this topic, I would really like to know if there is something we should be worried about. I will keep following this thread because I admit I still don't fully understand everything, and I want to be properly educated about what we need to know.

There is always a price to pay. Now if that's the case, I don't want to trade the future of our rich natural resources for the sake of rise of employment. Jobless people can always find job from different means, and even work on side hustles that they can find online.

So I say big NO to  Pax Silica. It can only ruin the health of most Filipino people in nearby areas. And since they will take advantage of our water supply, and compromise its cleanliness, I guess Filipino people will never love that.

[Japinat]

The building of Pax Silica will be an advantage for those who are behind the project as they will surely make massive profits. But the after effect on the community around will always have the worst scenario. People will surely experience a risky and unsafe environment due to complications from building AI data center, and would put our local resources highly compromised because data center operates with high in demand of our natural resources.

In addition, the economic state of our farmers will surely drop low because this AI data center will compete with the scarce water supply, thus leaving our very own farmers losing the chance to grow their farm, to maximize their farm income.

[Questat]

I don't think any country would be ready for this seeing the social and environmental threats it could bring, but I'm sure a corrupt government will always be prepared like this because aside that they can create a good image to their citizens particularly the jobless ones, if I'm not  mistaken they will also receive a good share of commission if the project will succeed.

But as one of the voices of the Filipino citizens, I strongly against creating data center here in our country. It's not that I don't appreciate what AI can do to our lives, but I'm more concern what will be the future of our local resources that will surely be taken advantage by this AI data center. I'm even starting to question now if this project really aims for true technology transfer or we might end up ruining the local resources of our country which I often heard will be the main target once it starts its operation.

[Zlantann]

Philippines is a third world country with lots of corrupted officials, I hope they don't turn this to a game of interests, they should allow it to help the masses of which it's intended. There's a lot benefits to the country, but the side effects should be weighed properly like noise pollution, water pollution, Air pollution, e.t.c and adequate compensation to those that would be affected in the long-term should be put in place, but living in a third world country myself, I know how much these benefits are politicized and hijacked before it even gets to the beneficiaries.

I love in a party of the country where oil is extracted and I can validate that all valid compensation structures, including a free hospital so that anyone that feels unwell goes for treatment are so nowhere to be found, leaving residents to beat the consequences of the hazard such a company presents. I like the fact that foreign investment is coming their way and would help boost their economy and create more jobs, but I only feel for the common people because they're at the receiving end of the consequences.

After reading some responses from members with knowledge about the Philippines, I now know why they are against this project. The country is already lacking electricity and water, data centre usage could make it worse.

Secondly, the goverment if Philipine is corrupt. They will prefer to steal the money that would have benefitted the people. The revenue or benefits from these projects will not get to the common man on the streets. Politicians and their cronies with loot from the data center projects.

Third, some Filipinos are concerned about the security or military concerns of this project. China might not be pleased with the presence of US data centres. These AI devices could be used for other purposes that might cause friction with other powerful nations.

[Ishicryptic]

Every good inventions have their negative sides, we mostly focus on the positive aspects but neglect that before we can get the best output that there are hazards that must be endured so I wouldn't blame Philippines that are looking beyond the positive impacts of having a mega AI center in their country, they are also considering the health implications of bringing the innovation into their country. I think that the Philippine government should weigh the positive and negative of having the center with consideration of their citizens health and decide whether it's best for their environment, despite the gains of having the center especially in terms of revenue and employment to their citizens they should priotize their citizens wellbeing. They can take a case study from the locations around the world where these AI centers are located and consider the health hazards in those areas.

[Maslate]

Every good inventions have their negative sides, we mostly focus on the positive aspects ....

People are wrong to think that this will automatically create a lot of jobs for Filipinos. This kind of company does not really have a high demand for workers because it operates more like a dark factory, where much of the work is done by robots and AI. It can still generate revenue for the country, especially if it is properly taxed, but when it comes to creating many jobs for Filipinos, I dont think that's really true.

[Oasisman]

Every good inventions have their negative sides, we mostly focus on the positive aspects ....

People are wrong to think that this will automatically create a lot of jobs for Filipinos. This kind of company does not really have a high demand for workers because it operates more like a dark factory, where much of the work is done by robots and AI. It can still generate revenue for the country, especially if it is properly taxed, but when it comes to creating many jobs for Filipinos, I dont think that's really true.

It may generate a lot of job opportunities at first during the construction phase, particularly for the Filipino builders. When it's fully built and starts operating, that's when the time people realise it won't generate a lot of jobs like what everybody is expecting. Because AI centers are highly automated and does not require a lot of employees working around them.

There could be other opportunities outside of it that is somehow connected to the AI center, but that doesn't mean it creates hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.

[terrific]

It may generate a lot of job opportunities at first during the construction phase, particularly for the Filipino builders. When it's fully built and starts operating, that's when the time people realise it won't generate a lot of jobs like what everybody is expecting. Because AI centers are highly automated and does not require a lot of employees working around them.

There could be other opportunities outside of it that is somehow connected to the AI center, but that doesn't mean it creates hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.

I've read a bit about this infrastructure in some other discussions.
Some experts say that it's a transfer of expertise and knowledge.
But it won't be specific if it will be for the Filipinos. Because depending on the contract written, they might just give those blue collar jobs and the construction to the natives.
Yet, when the infrastructure and this facility is already built. Those high positions might not even a single of the natives will get it.
There must be a guarantee that if this continues as a project and the building is done.
I think that aside from the jobs provided, there's a need for those communities that they have shooed away to benefit from it like a share of profit or any other incentives for destructing their lands.

[Emitdama]

I don't know how many workers it will employ, but I think the Philippines needs more employment opportunities. About  2.59 million Filipinos are jobless; that's a huge amount. The government can also raise funds through taxes. Don't forget that foreign investors also promote the transfer of skills and technology. So the country could benefit in more than one way.

Philippines is a third world country with lots of corrupted officials, I hope they don't turn this to a game of interests, they should allow it to help the masses of which it's intended. There's a lot benefits to the country, but the side effects should be weighed properly like noise pollution, water pollution, Air pollution, e.t.c and adequate compensation to those that would be affected in the long-term should be put in place, but living in a third world country myself, I know how much these benefits are politicized and hijacked before it even gets to the beneficiaries.

I love in a party of the country where oil is extracted and I can validate that all valid compensation structures, including a free hospital so that anyone that feels unwell goes for treatment are so nowhere to be found, leaving residents to beat the consequences of the hazard such a company presents. I like the fact that foreign investment is coming their way and would help boost their economy and create more jobs, but I only feel for the common people because they're at the receiving end of the consequences.

This is true for every country, not just the Philippines. We are talking about every single country, where if you bribe the right person, you could get away with everything. Hell, those giant companies (mostly based in the USA) are literally destroying our planet's drinkable waters, and nobody does anything about it.

Because they are giving money to corrupt people in the USA as well. So this is not just about the Philippines or any other nation; this is about the fact that we are seeing corrupt officials in every single country. In this case, yes, it is the Philippines, but in any other case it could be someone else. There are few decent countries in the world where these companies do not even attempt to get in, but that doesn't mean that they are not going to get what they want from other countries. If a company can go as far as literally destroying the water we're supposed to drink, and get away with that, then there is literally nothing that can stop them from doing anything else they want to do.

[Russlenat]

Every good inventions have their negative sides, we mostly focus on the positive aspects ....

People are wrong to think that this will automatically create a lot of jobs for Filipinos. This kind of company does not really have a high demand for workers because it operates more like a dark factory, where much of the work is done by robots and AI. It can still generate revenue for the country, especially if it is properly taxed, but when it comes to creating many jobs for Filipinos, I dont think that's really true.

Well, you have a point there. However, during construction, the company may still need huge number of workers like electricians, plumbers and ironworkers until the construction ends, so it really provides opportunities for those who will fit in the job. But after years of completion, like two to three years, when the final operation starts, the number of workers will drop low as most of those who are qualified for permanent jobs are only those who have engineering or technical training degrees.

In the end, a single AI data center will only hire minimal amount of workers, and the rest are done by robots and AI.

[Filicius]

People will surely experience a risky and unsafe environment due to complications from building AI data center, and would put our local resources highly compromised because data center operates with high in demand of our natural resources.

By chance, yesterday I heard a group of people behind me talking about the intention or the project to build huge data centers in my country, and the biggest concern they showed was the intensive use of water that would be needed to be able to control the temperature of them.

I live in a temperate country, where in several regions temperatures above 40 degrees are now common in summer, with risks of drought and fire. When we talk about natural resources, we rather think of metals or fuels to generate energy, but water for cooling is a real problem.

[viljy]

Many large data centers for AI around the world are already being built or designed. So the local population will have to put up with this. In any case, the decision on construction is made in the USA, and the government of a third world country has its own commercial interest in this. And maybe... maybe if they are in a good mood, they will take into account the interests of the local population (but this is not certain).

[bhadz]

Just giving an update, since this proposed location is in Central Luzon. There's a congressman[1] named  Jose Alvarez, a representative of district 2 in Palawan who's welcoming it on the islands of Palawan, this guy backs the proposed project Pax Silica and says that there's sufficient water and energy for it to sustain, he's said on an interview. And if people don't want it on the original proposed area, his province is going to welcome it. As if he's the real voice of his constituents. I guess that this lawmaker is up for the potential huge kick back that they'll get from it.

[1] Palawan Rep. Alvarez says PH needs Pax Silica, project poses no cause for concern

[Adiljutt156]

I would not question what Pax Silica can bring to the Philippines. Surely it can create jobs and help the country become more advanced.

My concern is the natural resources that may be damaged just to bring these big companies in. Thats also what I keep reading in many comments, especially about its possible negative impact on the environment.

So for those who are experts on this topic, I would really like to know if there is something we should be worried about. I will keep following this thread because I admit I still don't fully understand everything, and I want to be properly educated about what we need to know.

Agree with your concern that such big projects cannot be based only on the amount of investment and job opportunities that they can create. There are other things that are worth watching, including the electricity demand, the land usage, whether there is any sort of waste management system or not and whether the nearby communities are getting affected by it or not.

At the same time, we should not assume that Pax Silica was made for environmental damage rather it is for a broader technological prospect and manufacturing hub.

Philippines is able to protect the environment, then this opportunity is a worthwhile opportunity and can help them in their economic development.

[Oasisman]

It may generate a lot of job opportunities at first during the construction phase, particularly for the Filipino builders. When it's fully built and starts operating, that's when the time people realise it won't generate a lot of jobs like what everybody is expecting. Because AI centers are highly automated and does not require a lot of employees working around them.

There could be other opportunities outside of it that is somehow connected to the AI center, but that doesn't mean it creates hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.

I've read a bit about this infrastructure in some other discussions.
Some experts say that it's a transfer of expertise and knowledge.
But it won't be specific if it will be for the Filipinos. Because depending on the contract written, they might just give those blue collar jobs and the construction to the natives.
Yet, when the infrastructure and this facility is already built. Those high positions might not even a single of the natives will get it.
There must be a guarantee that if this continues as a project and the building is done.
I think that aside from the jobs provided, there's a need for those communities that they have shooed away to benefit from it like a share of profit or any other incentives for destructing their lands.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Those employees who maintain and update the AI center when it's already operational are most probably foreigners, as local professionals still need to learn from them.
Talking about the natives who previously owned the land, I think most of them might be satisfied with how much money they'll receive when the land purchase is finalized. Hope they will also consider a long-term employment contract for the locals from that area, because a shared profit with the locals after the land purchase surely won't work.

[bisdak40]

...........

............

This is also one thing that I would want to know. If they really want the public to understand the opportunities it could bring to the country, the government needs to justify it. The job opportunities they're saying, how many job opportunities it could bring? Would it be sufficient for all the negative environmental impact it would bring to the area?

I am open to understanding if it would really be beneficial for the country to push this project. But one thing that also concerns me the most, is how untrustworthy our government can be. Can they really handle such big project? Or will it be another scheme to steal funds, or make money for themselves? I'm really doubting that their priority is the people...

As per assessment of some experts the amount of investment that this project would bring to the country will not offset to the damage it might bring to our natural resources. They kept on saying that this project would give millions of jobs but they are having a hard time answering questions on how they will run the facilities like where do they intend to get 50 or more millions of galloons of water needed to cool these machines. I've seen an interview wherein they said that they will get it from the rain and make a dam but have they forgot that here in our country it is not raining everyday? If this project pushes through, there will be a scarce supply of water for the people in the neighborhood as they will prioritize supplying to these facilities.

It might be true that thousands will benefit as they will have jobs but what about the natural resources that we have that might be gone forever.

[angrybirdy]

I would not question what Pax Silica can bring to the Philippines. Surely it can create jobs and help the country become more advanced.

My concern is the natural resources that may be damaged just to bring these big companies in. Thats also what I keep reading in many comments, especially about its possible negative impact on the environment.

So for those who are experts on this topic, I would really like to know if there is something we should be worried about. I will keep following this thread because I admit I still don't fully understand everything, and I want to be properly educated about what we need to know.

There is always a price to pay. Now if that's the case, I don't want to trade the future of our rich natural resources for the sake of rise of employment. Jobless people can always find job from different means, and even work on side hustles that they can find online.

So I say big NO to  Pax Silica. It can only ruin the health of most Filipino people in nearby areas. And since they will take advantage of our water supply, and compromise its cleanliness, I guess Filipino people will never love that.

Say it louder!!! No to Pax Silica! Even if some people especially in the higher political positions that it will give a bright future for every Filipino (like, as if everyone will have a job after that?) but we all know what the consequences of this project could be. As you can see, even the Pax Silica construction hasn't started yet, we are already suffering a lot, especially now that it's rainy season. Floods and landslide everywhere. There's a big risk once that construction starts and it was clearly shared through different social media platforms, but still the government approved it??? They only think what's benefit for them, the money and power, they didn't consider the whole community and the effects of having it build in our country.

[Zlantann]

Just giving an update, since this proposed location is in Central Luzon. There's a congressman[1] named  Jose Alvarez, a representative of district 2 in Palawan who's welcoming it on the islands of Palawan, this guy backs the proposed project Pax Silica and says that there's sufficient water and energy for it to sustain, he's said on an interview. And if people don't want it on the original proposed area, his province is going to welcome it. As if he's the real voice of his constituents. I guess that this lawmaker is up for the potential huge kick back that they'll get from it.

[1] Palawan Rep. Alvarez says PH needs Pax Silica, project poses no cause for concern

What do you expect from a Congressman who is part of the corrupt system? He would always support a project that will put more money in the pockets of the ruling class. A responsible government will put necessary measures in place that will reduce the effect of this project before its commencement. I hope the government will relocate the lands to people who will be displaced by this project and alternative source of water and power has been put in place.

Jose Alvarez is claiming to be the voice of the affected constituents. Maybe residents in that area should vote to support or oppose the project; let's see the majority.

[bhadz]

Just giving an update, since this proposed location is in Central Luzon. There's a congressman[1] named  Jose Alvarez, a representative of district 2 in Palawan who's welcoming it on the islands of Palawan, this guy backs the proposed project Pax Silica and says that there's sufficient water and energy for it to sustain, he's said on an interview. And if people don't want it on the original proposed area, his province is going to welcome it. As if he's the real voice of his constituents. I guess that this lawmaker is up for the potential huge kick back that they'll get from it.

[1] Palawan Rep. Alvarez says PH needs Pax Silica, project poses no cause for concern

What do you expect from a Congressman who is part of the corrupt system? He would always support a project that will put more money in the pockets of the ruling class. A responsible government will put necessary measures in place that will reduce the effect of this project before its commencement. I hope the government will relocate the lands to people who will be displaced by this project and alternative source of water and power has been put in place.

Jose Alvarez is claiming to be the voice of the affected constituents. Maybe residents in that area should vote to support or oppose the project; let's see the majority.

There's no more empathy and concern from these lawmakers. Most of them are driven by greed and personal agenda which; they only look at the profits and kickbacks that they'll get from these projects. No genuine concern for the environment, but see to it that before the elections, they're going to come to the neighborhood and ask for the people's vote, and they'll even show off and throw money just to be voted. But this time, I hope that voters are wiser and sees that there are still few concerned politicians who are for the people and voted by the people with legitimate actions and concerns for the welfare everyone and nature.

[justdimin]

There's no more empathy and concern from these lawmakers. Most of them are driven by greed and personal agenda which; they only look at the profits and kickbacks that they'll get from these projects. No genuine concern for the environment, but see to it that before the elections, they're going to come to the neighborhood and ask for the people's vote, and they'll even show off and throw money just to be voted. But this time, I hope that voters are wiser and sees that there are still few concerned politicians who are for the people and voted by the people with legitimate actions and concerns for the welfare everyone and nature.

Because we are like them too. Yes, politicians are greedy and corrupt, but who gave them those votes to make them be there? Who elected the officials that ruin our world? Take our money? Bribed to ruin all our lives? We did; it is our own doing. It is sort of like shooting yourself in the foot and asking why am I limping. If we are the ones who are electing bad people into office, then it is our own fault that we are not getting the good return that we should be getting.

I think we need to realise that we can't really just accept that; we can't really move on from that. We have to accept it, and then either we learn to live with the greedy people who are our mirrors in charge, or just go elect someone else. Maybe you did not vote for the people who are in charge; that might be true, but that doesn't mean that you are any less guilty. What have you done to make sure the good people won? Are you sure even the fact that the ones you voted for are good?