New corridor eyed for ‘super intelligence’ projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines plans to introduce a technology corridor to attract investments across the “super intelligence” value chain, from the minerals that power these advanced technologies to the data centers that support them.

Dubbed the Super Intelligence, Knowledge and Advanced Technology Corridor (Sikat), the project is envisioned to stretch from Batangas to Mindanao and draw private sector investments to help the Philippines move up the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain.

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Its name draws from the United States’ rebranding of AI as “super intelligence” under President Donald Trump.

Sikat would cover a much larger area than the Luzon Economic Corridor, which encompasses Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas, as well as the proposed 1,619-hectare Pax Silica hub in New Clark City.

Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the corridor aims to connect related projects, some of which are already underway, under a broader AI development strategy.

“It’s a technology corridor encompassing the AI ecosystem—from minerals to materials to advanced manufacturing to digital infrastructure,” Rodolfo told reporters on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Not only Pax Silica

Under an earlier proposal for the then-unnamed corridor, Rodolfo said the plan was to start with New Clark City, where the proposed Pax Silica hub is set to rise. It would then extend to Metro Manila, which could serve as an integrated circuit design hub.

Mindanao would serve as the project’s minerals corridor, while Batangas is envisioned to host digital infrastructure, including data centers. Aurora and Bulacan would also form part of the plan, primarily as connectivity and logistics gateways.

Rodolfo said these development nodes would be supported by private sector investments, with no direct funding required from the government.

The project would be implemented by the Board of Investments (BOI), chaired by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, with Rodolfo serving as its managing head.

Rodolfo added that the corridor could also attract foreign investors, including those from countries outside the US-led Pax Silica initiative, which counts the Philippines among its 26 members.

Already, the BOI has held consultations with private sector representatives, industry associations and government agencies on the planned corridor.

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Investment promotion agencies were also briefed on Sikat during a meeting on Wednesday, while the project was recently presented to prospective investors at a conference in Australia.

In a statement, Roque stressed the importance of attracting AI-related investments to help the Philippines keep pace with technological developments worldwide.

“The future depends on what we do today. In the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, we need to turn technological disruption into concrete industrial strength, quality jobs, and sustainable prosperity for our people,” the trade chief said. INQ