SIKAT corridor to include Mindanao mineral processing, Aurora digital infrastructure

The Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry has unveiled the SIKAT technology corridor, which will feature mineral processing projects in Mindanao and digital infrastructure developments in Aurora and Batangas provinces. The corridor is designed to span the AI ecosystem from raw minerals to ad

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced that a new nationwide investment corridor will include mineral processing projects in Mindanao and digital infrastructure developments in Aurora and Batangas provinces. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo disclosed the details on Wednesday at the 40th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry Conference.

The initiative, named SIKAT (Super Intelligence, Knowledge, and Advanced Technology), has just concluded its consultation stage, Mr Rodolfo said. He described it as a technology corridor encompassing the AI ecosystem from minerals to advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.

Projects linked to SIKAT include an integrated circuit design hub in Muntinlupa City, mineral processing sites in Mindanao, and digital infrastructure developments in the Batangas and Aurora provinces. The corridor is intended to complement the Pax Silica AI-native hub in New Clark City and the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The Board of Investments (BoI) recently briefed government and industry stakeholders on the SIKAT corridor. Trade Secretary and BoI Head Maria Cristina A. Roque is seeking to leverage AI and digital transformation to drive industrial growth and exports.

“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,” Ms Roque was quoted as saying in a statement.