NEWS

By Victor Andres C. Manhit | November 3, 2026

The Philippines has strategic advantages that it must turn into economic gains. Among these are our location along vital maritime routes, substantial critical mineral resources, and a young workforce, all of which position us to play a greater role in regional and global supply chains.

But realizing this potential requires reliable infrastructure, workforce development, and clear, consistently implemented policies. Here, the Philippines cannot succeed on its own.

In a Stratbase-commissioned survey by Pulse Asia conducted between Sept. 17 and 23, Filipinos identified the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, and South Korea as our most important economic partners.

The people’s confidence in these countries is well-deserved. It is backed by decades of goodwill and cooperation, and a shared values system with respect for international rules-based order at the core. These are partners that have historically acknowledged our inherent strengths. They regard us as equals.

It is not a coincidence that these like-minded countries are with us in two significant economic initiatives, the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and Pax Silica.

The Luzon Economic Corridor offers a concrete pathway from diplomacy to investment. Connecting Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas can support investments in energy, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and digital connectivity. The priority is to move from international commitments to implemented projects that improve competitiveness and connect Filipino businesses to regional and global markets.

Meanwhile, Pax Silica presents an opportunity to move into higher-value industries. Cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, and technology infrastructure can expand the Philippines’ participation in strategic supply chains. We should use these partnerships to develop domestic mineral processing, advanced manufacturing, research capabilities, and higher-skilled employment.

Through these two initiatives, cooperation with trusted partners must deliver investments, stronger domestic industries, technological capabilities, and quality jobs while protecting Philippine sovereignty. For the Philippines, our choice of technology partners carries long-term implications for our domestic capabilities, data governance, and sovereignty.

MINING
One of the strategic advantages of the Philippines is its richness in mineral resources. On Oct. 27-28, the Stratbase Group participated in Mining Philippines 2026. The gathering highlighted the importance of developing downstream industries, streamlining permitting, and strengthening partnerships with countries such as Canada, Australia, and Sweden.

Conference participants were of one mind that the Philippines must capture more value from its resources through domestic processing, technology transfer, and stronger links to manufacturing.

In his keynote message delivered by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. emphasized the role of mineral resources in supporting industrialization and creating lasting opportunities for Filipinos. This requires predictable regulation and responsible investment. If critical minerals are strategic assets, we need a national approach that balances environmental stewardship, indigenous rights, local participation, and greater national strength for future generations of Filipinos.

Indeed, responsible mining requires a clear and consistent national approach.

PARTNERS
Our expanding network of economic and security partners creates opportunities for investment, technology transfer, and industrial development. We must ensure that these opportunities strengthen Filipino enterprises, develop local expertise, and create quality jobs. Indeed, strategic partnerships must deliver tangible benefits for Filipinos.

But we must also be mindful of competing interests and orientations.

On the other side of the equation is the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), led by China. It brings together founding members including Russia, Pakistan, Belarus, Brazil, and Venezuela. Five of our ASEAN neighbors — Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar — are also part of this group. The establishment of this group reflects growing competition to shape international cooperation on artificial intelligence and technology governance.

The existence of this group also reminds us that geopolitics is a potent force shaping economic decisions. Trade, investments, technology, and supply chains are increasingly influenced by strategic competition and national security priorities.

Thus, for Philippine policymakers and businesses, understanding geopolitical and geoeconomic developments must be part of long-term planning, particularly in energy, critical minerals, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure. Geopolitics, sovereignty, the rule of law, economics — all these can no longer be treated as stand-alone factors that govern how we act on the international stage. Rather, these are interrelated concerns that ultimately shape how we conduct ourselves and relate with our like-minded peers in the global order.

ECONOMICALLY SECURE
In the end, a nation can only be truly secure if its people are economically secure. Protecting maritime routes, securing reliable energy supplies, and safeguarding digital infrastructure are essential to sustaining economic activity and investor confidence. Our ability to attract long-term investments and build competitive industries depends on a stable and secure environment.

Filipinos appear to know which countries around us can be trusted. In a fragmented and increasingly competitive world, the Filipino people have clearly expressed their preference for trusted partners that can advance our economic security and protect our sovereignty.

We must match this preference with clear policies and decisive implementation. Partnerships must translate into investments, stronger domestic industries, technological capabilities, and quality jobs for Filipinos. Only these would enable our people to lead better lives and imagine a secure economic future for their families and our entire nation.

Source: BusinessWorld