Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) managing head Dr. Ceferino Rodolfo recently met with representatives from Masdar and DAMAC Digital to advance investment plans in the Philippines and align partnerships on artificial intelligence (AI) development under the US-led Pax Silica initiative.
Meetings with UAE Industry Leaders
The meetings, held in Abu Dhabi, involved discussions with Masdar's chief investment officer Raphael Barreau and DAMAC Digital's senior vice president Troy Gilson. These engagements follow the Philippines' recent accession to the Pax Silica alliance and the announcement of a partnership with the United States to establish a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial acceleration hub in Luzon. The hub requires robust energy and digital infrastructure to support high-end AI processing and next-generation manufacturing.
Renewable Energy Solutions from Masdar
During the meeting with Masdar, Rodolfo outlined renewable energy solutions for the Luzon AI-native hub. Masdar is actively involved in powering Abu Dhabi's Stargate UAE project with 5 GW of renewables and a 19 GWh battery energy storage system. The company also has ongoing renewable projects in the Philippines under a signed memorandum of understanding with the BOI, supporting the development of up to 10 GW of renewable energy projects in the country by 2035.
Data Center Progress with DAMAC Digital
Rodolfo also discussed the progress of a 250-MW data center facility in the Philippines with DAMAC Digital's senior vice president. This investment follows a meeting between DAMAC's chairman Hussain Sajwani and President Ferdinand F. Marcos Jr. in Abu Dhabi in January 2026. The data center reinforces the Philippines as a hub for AI-driven technologies under the Pax Silica alliance.
"The Luzon AI-native hub within the Pax Silica alliance integrates UAE's renewable energy expertise and data center capabilities for next-gen manufacturing," said Undersecretary Rodolfo. "Our collaborations with industry leaders such as Masdar and DAMAC underscore our commitment to transform the Philippines into a premier destination for AI-driven technologies and sustainable industrial acceleration."
Strategic Alliance Strengthens Bilateral Ties
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver highlighted that mutual inclusion in the Pax Silica alliance serves as a force multiplier for existing bilateral agreements. "The Philippines' accession to the Pax Silica alliance, where the UAE is also a key party, further solidifies our bilateral trade and investment frameworks, such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA)," said Ambassador Ver. "This signifies that the Philippines and the UAE are no longer just traditional trading partners; they are now strategic tech allies."
