Nelson Morales

Technology transfer urged to be included in Pax Silica deal

Article (news)

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine government is urged to include the provision on technology transfer in deals relating to Pax Silica, according to critics of the US-led initiative.At the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel, IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa said for many decades the government has been pushing for more foreign investments, but failed to include technology transfer as part of business agreements. He said other countries like China often include technology transfer so eventually they get something from the foreign investments in the long term and they create their own industries.Africa said the Pax Silica project should allow Filipinos to eventually use the knowledge and create a strong local industry in the future.“I-mandate magkakaroon ng technology transfer. Hindi naman kailangan kaagad. Pwede 5 years, 10 years. Sabihin natin, in 5 years, kailangan ang isang Pilipinong negosyante na marunong mag-print ng circuit boards. In 15 years, kailangan may Pilipinong negosyante kaya na advanced testing and packaging,” he said.He cited one major semiconductor company which operated in the Philippines for decades, but when they left, there was no technology transfer, which did not help create a strong local semiconductor industry.Africa noted that many workers in the electronics industry are barred from using the knowledge they gained and building their own companies even years after they resigned. Without technology transfer, this will not spur growth for the local industries and will just push the Philippines to rely solely on foreign technology.“Kung hindi ito tumutulong maglikha ng Pilipinong industriya, hindi ito dapat ikatuwa kasi mauulit lamang ang mahabang kasaysayan na pupunta ang dayuhan dito makikinabang sa likas yaman natin, makikinabang sa paggawa natin, makikinabang sa strategic location natin sa rehiyon, pero wala naman pakinabang ang pambansang ekonomiya,” Africa added.Computer Professionals Union Chairperson Ian Aragoza also shared the same sentiment. He said Filipinos should also benefit from this initiative.“Wala tayong ownership of the technology. Wala tayong critical stake. Wala kasi tayong ganung klasing commitment na may Filipino stake, Filipino ownership… Demanda natin na may transfer of technology,” Aragoza added.Africa also hoped that Filipino firms will be prioritized, whether it be joint ventures or state-owned enterprises, to ensure that the project will increase the number of Filipino-owned firms.“Explicit favoring of Filipino firms, explicit mandatory technology transfer, explicit na walang pagpipigil sa laya ng Pilipinas to deal trade and investment with anyone they want even if it’s China or any other country na tingin ng US against sa kanya. Plus of course compliant with all labor and environment laws,” Africa said.Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and CEO Joshua Bingcang, who spoke at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel earlier, reiterated that Pax Silica is a business and economic agreement that will benefit the Philippines. He said the signing of the framework may happen in November and that are reviewing all information to ensure Filipinos also stand to benefit.“We will continue to listen to all the concerns of all sectors and we will make sure they will be considered in our decision-making,” Bingcang said.

Pax Silica should allow Filipinos to eventually use the knowledge they gain from the project to create a strong local industry in the future.

Pax Silica should allow Filipinos to eventually use the knowledge they gain from the project to create a strong local industry in the future.