It looks like you're using the httpd.conf file that the PHP make install copied into the PHP mod extension.
I just scoured the php 8.x sources and "surprisingly enough" cannot seem to find httpd.conf - nor am I aware of
any PHP release which includes or has EVER included httpd.conf. What you are likely thinking of with the MOD extension is the httpd/conf.d/
mod-php*.conf file which I believe is dynamically generated that
adds PHP related support to the existing Apache configuration tree. But... according to you, I'm just a beginner with almost four DECADES in this business. My licenses, certificates and degrees must mean nothing.
To correct your misinformation: PHP does
not require Apache. PHP doesn't require NGINX either... or any web server for that matter.
PHP DOES require autoconf 2.x, but that's the extent of dependencies until you start enabling modules.
(If you don't believe me,
tce-load -i php-8.3.1.tcz and run
php -a)