01/08/2026
UP Statistical Societyโs Statement on Pres. Marcosโ State of the Nation Address 2026
Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas, at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino.
These were among the first few statements that President Bongbong Marcos said during his SONA last July 27. PBBM even received a standing ovation as he exclaimed to the Filipino people that we must stand united against the growing security challenges, and that his administration would continue to defend our country through peaceful and lawful means. But with how this past year unfolded, could we really agree with him on "peaceful" and "lawful"?
Besides the flowery words he provided, numbers were also presented during his 1 hour and 26 minute speech. Php 25 billion in ill-gotten wealth was frozen. Excise taxes on LPG and kerosene were suspended for three months. "Benteng Bigas Meron Na" benefited 12 million Filipinos. Planted 18 million coconut trees. Distribution of over 400,000 land titles. Repatriated 12,000 overseas Filipino workers. 4PH program built over 500,000 houses. 1.8 million people were trained in AI literacy. And the list goes on. The overwhelming statistics presented by PBBM seem pleasing to hear for many Filipinos, don't they? These numbers, however, only depict one little side of a complex story.
We have fallen onto one of the most controversial issues these past few months โ Pax Silica. PBBM fully backed this partnership, defending its economic benefits like job opportunities and an easier entry to the global AI and technology market. However, essentially nothing was mentioned about Pax Silicaโs long-term impacts.
Data centers require huge amounts of space and resources for construction and day-to-day operations. With the Bases Conversion and Development Authorityโs (BCDA) plans to utilize 1,620 hectares of land in New Clark City (roughly comparable to the geographical size of Malabon), nearby residents and farmers in Tarlac are at high risk of displacement whether from home or their livelihood. Furthermore, experts have projected electricity and water consumption levels of up to 3,000 megawatts and 90 million liters daily. Data centers demand a lot of resources, which could actually be sufficient enough to supply the needs of Las Pinas and more cities in Luzon. Sadly, Filipinos would have to carry the potential brunt of intermittent power interruptions due to grid overconsumption, as well as water shortages and possible contamination.
The economic benefits of Pax Silica are also quite debatable. Despite the โpromiseโ of about 200,000 jobs for Filipinos, the minimum wage still remains as low as Php 718 for agricultural workers. Amidst rising costs of living and uncertainties in employment, such rates make it more difficult for Filipinos to attain their basic needs. Whatโs also concerning is the plan to grant foreign investors a 99-year maximum lease to Economic Security Zones (ESZs) covered by Pax Silica. This renders the Philippines vulnerable to conflicts on land ownership, as pre-empted days ago when the US requested for immunity to Philippine laws on these ESZs. Although the request was rightfully rejected by the Philippines, we could expect to see more demands for further foreign control over our local land, should Pax Silica push through.
We have seen scientific evidence from other countries on the negative impacts of data centersโfrom heat waves, noise and water pollution, to displacements of communities and massive deforestation. Local economic experts and sectoral communities have been voicing concerns, and yet the project remains fast-tracked to implementation. The governmentโs seeming lack of foresight and consideration in this matter pushes us to ponder whether PBBM is really for the Filipinos, just as he claimed to be.
The SONA is indeed the perfect avenue to provide all affirmations and assurances to the Filipino people. But when all we hear are crowd-pleasing answers with little clarity and insight on what will actually be done, we end up with more questions than answers. We hear more promises than action. What do job opportunities mean when our lands are barren? What good does technological advancement provide when we struggle to bring even the most basic of needs close to our people?
The UP Statistical Society firmly stands in opposition to the Pax Silica Initiative. It is clear that by pushing our contribution to this project, the Philippines will once again get the short end of the stick against the imperialist US and their allies. We are set to keep providing material resources and human capital for their production in the disguise of economic progress and globalization efforts. In reality, however, we are treated as mere pawns in their battle for power and global control. This is why we have to stop Pax Silica at all costs, before the damages to our environment and community soon become irreversible.
In addition, UP StatSoc continues in demanding PBBM and other government officials for clearer and more concrete plans to address our countryโs issues. Statistics are often at the forefront of progress, but it can only do so much when it starts to misrepresent true sentiments of the common people. It is time to look beyond improving economic metrics because there is substantial value in environmental growth and community development. Lastly, we demand that all forms of justice and accountability be finally upheld not only in planning, but also in executing these actions.
