Manila Standard - 2021 January 30 - Saturday

Contact tracing czar quits Magalong owns up to protocol breaches at Baguio bash; NTF urges him to stay

By Willie Casas

B

AGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong submitted Friday an irrevocable resignation as the country’s contact tracing czar but Malacañang said it has been rejected.

“My resignation is irrevocable,” Magalong said in an interview with ABS-CBN, days after he drew flak for attending the Jan. 17 birthday celebration of celebrity Tim Yap at the Manor Hotel at Camp John Hay in Baguio City, where health protocols were violated.

“One of the highlights of public service is good governance. We should look at the accountability of the ranking official that he should lead in implementing what is right. During that particular moment, I think I may have been remiss so it is all about accountability,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the resignation has been rejected, as the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 believed in his competence to lead the contact Next page

BAGUIO BASH. Contact-tracing czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (left, second panel) and his wife flank movie actress KC Concepcion during the event marking the

birthday bash of celebrity Tim Yap (left) which has triggered an uproar over violations of health protocols to avert the spread of COVID-19. Magalong has offered to resign while Yap and Concepcion are slapped with fines. (Yap’s FB /Instagram photos)

Metro, Cordillera under GCQ; looser controls likely after Feb.

By Willie Casas and Maricel Cruz

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 326 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pump-priming proposals set: Focus on food

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JANUARY 29)

521,413 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Friday the government must focus on food if the economic report card is bad.

“There should be a review of the farm-to-table chain. Every step, and not just focus on the narrative that it’s the fault of the middleman,” Recto said.

He said many of the problems are upstream—production for one, and not just overpricing.

When traders are paraded as the usual suspects, Recro said, the country may not be able to find a real solution.

“The green shoots of economic recovery must be seen in our farms,” Recto said.

Filipino families on the average spend 43 percent of their income on food.

“But the bottom 30 percent, or about Next page

LOCAL ROUNDUP

METRO Manila and the entire Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and six In a televised briefing, presidential other areas will be under general community quarantine (GCQ) for the whole spokesperson Harry Roque said other Next page month of February, Malacanang said.

1,849 35,048 NEW

ACTIVE

10,600

48

475,765

177

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

SEA DISPUTE. Militant groups gather in front of the Chinese Consular Office in Makati City on Friday, January 29, 2021, to protest

Beijing’s new Coast Guard Law that allows use of force by the Chinese military to ward off incursions in the disputed areas of South China Sea. The Chinese law will endanger the lives of Filipino fishermen and deprive them of livelihood in the West Philippine Sea, the militant groups say. Norman Cruz

FINDINGS DOUBTED. Sharon Dacera, mother of Kristine Dacera – the flight attendant who was found dead inside the room of a hotel in Makati City – shows the pictures of the bruises on the body of her daughter. Dacera challenges the PNP’s medico-legal findings stating that Kristine died of natural causes and wants a DNA test on the body.

Duterte critic hits out anew at killings

By Willie Casas

THE United Nations special rapporteur Agnes Callamard said Friday the Philippines’ review of deadly anti-narcotics operations should cover people who allegedly incited the killings of more than 5,000 drug suspects.

Callamard, a critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature policy, told the Foreign Correspondents Next page

THE Department of Science and Technology said Friday more than two dozen vaccine developers were negotiating with the Philippines for the potential supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

In an online presser, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said 25 COVID-19 vaccine developers from 10 countries were in talks with the DOST. Of the 25, six are from China, another six from the United States. Three developers are from Taiwan, two each are from Russia, Australia, and Germany.

COVID-19 can make men less fertile, new study says COVID-19 may damage sperm quality and reduce fertility in men, according to a new study based on experimental evidence.

The viral disease – which has swept the globe, claiming nearly 2.2 million lives – can cause increased sperm cell death, inflammation and so-called oxidative stress, researchers reported Friday in the journal Reproduction.

“These findings provide the first direct Next page

NEW

AFP deputy goes on leave over NPA list

By Rey E. Requejo

India, Japan, UK, and Canada have one developer each in talks with the Philippines.

“Out of these, there are already 12 that have signed confidentiality disclosure agreements,” Dela Peña said.

“For those who have signed confidentiality disclosure agreements, they will now be required to send their data for the evaluation of our vaccine expert panel and also the evaluation by the health research ethics board,” he added.

So far, the Philippine government approved clinical trials for the vaccines developed by Jansen, Clover, and Sinovac.

THE head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines civil-military operations group, whose office is responsible for posting a list of alleged New People’s Army members which drew flak on social media, decided to take a leave of absence following an inquiry into the matter.

“In the light of these developments, I will go on a leave of absence so as not to influence the ongoing investigation,” AFP Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said in a message to reporters late Thursday.

Arevalo’s move followed the relief of Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Alex Luna for purposes of investigation, according to the Board of Generals.

Arevalo reiterated the erroneous list was a mistake committed by an unidentified staff member of his office,

Next page

Next page

25 vaccine developers in talks with PH; China, US top the list

By Willie Casas

NEW

Anal swab? ‘Low harm, but extreme humiliation’

By Willie Casas THE Department of Health on Friday it is not recommending using anal swabs to get specimens for COVID-19 testing as these are inconvenient.

“If you ask us at the Department of Health – if it’s really needed and there is sufficient evidence showing that it has accurate results, then

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

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DND affirms independent policy T

HE Philippines will continue to maintain its independent foreign policy to protect its sovereignty and national interest amid geopolitical issues, the country’s defense chief said Friday.

“We will continue to uphold our independent foreign policy to safeguard our sovereignty and national interest. We will maintain and enhance our existing alliance while exploring potential partnership, all for the advancement of our country and the welfare of our people,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a virtual conference organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

Lorenzana also maintained the longstanding geopolitical rivalry between

the United States and China would continue to test the Philippines’ adeptness in balancing its relationship between the two nations.

“It is necessary for us to continuously engage with China not only for existing cooperation in various areas but also for the peaceful resolution of our competing claims in the South China Sea,” he added.

Lorenzana said the Philippines must remain mindful of the role of the US “as the stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific

Metro,...

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areas to be under GCQ from Feb. 1 to 28 are Batangas, Tacloban City, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Iligan City.

CAR’s quarantine classification shifted from MGCQ to GCQ after its health care capacity reached “moderate risk.”

The rest of the country will be under a modified general community quarantine.

Placing the entire CAR was approved after the Department of Health (DOH) detected the presence of the more transmissible UK coronavirus variant in Bontoc, Mountain Province, and in La Trinidad, Benguet.

tracing efforts in the country.

“Mayor Magalong’s resignation...has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19,” Roque said.

When asked by Manila Standard whether the resignation was indeed irrevocable, Roque said: “I really do not know. All I know is the NTF did not accept it.”

As contact tracing czar, Magalong is tasked to focus on advancing skills training for contact tracers.

Magalong came under fire after he confirmed Wednesday that he and his wife attended Yap’s birthday bash.

He also admitted that health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and social distancing were violated during the birthday party.

In a separate statement, NTF Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Jan. 17 incident “does not speak of Mayor Magalong’s true character nor define him as a public servant.”

Galvez said Magalong still has the support of the task force.

“As we face the challenges brought about by the health crisis, Mayor Magalong’s role as contact tracing czar is crucial as we scale up our COVID-19

Shift to MGCQ

But Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the entire country may shift to MGCQ, the loosest quarantine classification, within the first quarter of the year.

“That is very much doable. We just have a new COVID-19 variant that is why we are being extra careful in our decisions, even on the age restrictions and possible movement to MGCQ,” Lopez said in a digital presser.

1,849 new cases reported

The Philippines logged on Friday 1,849 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 521,413, with eight laboratories failing to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

There were 48 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 10,600, which is 2.03 percent of the total cases.

The DOH also reported that 177 patients recovered recently, bringing the total recoveries to 475,765, which is 91.2 percent of the total.

This left 35,048 active cases, which is 6.7 percent of the total.

DOH not alarmed over Cebu surge

A Department of Health official on Friday allayed fears about the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Cebu, saying its health care system is still at the “safe” level.

“We are still very safe now but what we’re saying is, although this data are reflective of what’s happening here, we want to ensure also that people would not become complacent,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson and chief pathologist of the Department of Health-Central Visayas.

She made the remark in response to a study by a group of researchers and professors that COVID-19 cases in Cebu had become “a serious concern.”

25 vaccine...

From A1 The target cities for the clinical trial were: San Pablo and Cabuyao, Laguna; Makati City, La Pa, Iloilo; Bacolod City; and Metro Manila for Janssen; Quezon City, Makati City, Manila City, Taguig City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City; Calamba, Laguna; and Dasmariñas, Cavite for Clover; and Quezon City, Marikina City, Pasay City, and Alaminos, Laguna

COVID-19...

From A1 experimental evidence that the male reproductive system could be targeted and damaged by COVID-19,” the authors concluded.

Experts commenting on the research, however, said the capacity of the virus to compromise fertility in men remains unproven.

COVID-19 causes respiratory illness, especially in older people and those with underlying medical problems.

Region and a counterbalance to China.”

He also noted that maintaining a stable international rules-based order was in the best interest of all.

Lorenzana also hoped that Manila would benefit from Washington DC’s “pivot to Asia strategy” under the administration of President Joe Biden.

“Thus, we welcome with great optimism the change of leadership in the US government, hoping that the strong and reliable friendship between the Philippines and the US would flourish ever further,” he added.

He also expressed hope that the appointment of former Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim as an assistant secretary of the US Department of State, who has a deeper understanding

of the country, will result in the exercise of prudence and restraint in dealing with other countries’ domestic affairs.

“American leaders must note that the foundation of our alliance is our shared commitment to the preservation of democracy and protection of human rights and that the Philippines has never reneged from such commitment,” he said.

Noting that bilateral relations is a two-way concern, Lorenzana said the Philippines must do its share in fulfilling its comment to the alliance and undertake its role in preserving this decades-old friendship.

“Our country can be a more responsible partner by exerting efforts com-

response and mitigation efforts. In the meantime, we would like to commend and thank Mayor Magalong for the outstanding work he has done as contact tracing czar and a member of the task force,” he said.

In a resignation letter dated Jan. 28, Magalong held himself accountable for his presence at the party.

“I was involved in a recent incident where several lapses in the protocol were committed. In hindsight, being a senior officer of the task force, I should have done an immediate spot correction of the errors that I witnessed during that time,” Magalong wrote. “Much as I have given my best to discharge my duties for the task force, this incident has been a reminder that a higher standard is always expected of me.”

Galvez urged the public to give Magalong the benefit of the doubt.

NTF deputy chief implementer and testing czar Vince Dizon described Magalong as a “rare breed” of public servants.

“It is rare to have a public servant who is humble enough to admit his shortcomings and mistakes,” he said in Filipino.

“His integrity is unquestionable and with that, we find it hard to accept his resignation because we need him in the task force, the country needs him,” Dizon said.

Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said both the President and the DOH trust Magalong.

“We at the Department of Health believe that he should remain in that position. He has helped the contact tracing efforts of the country a lot,” Vergeire said in Filipino.

“In Bontoc and the whole Cordillera Autonomous Region, he was the one who led the contract tracing efforts for this specific variant,” she said of the efforts to trace the source of the more transmissible United Kingdom variant that has somehow spread in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Magalong was appointed contact tracing czar in July as he was hailed for Baguio’s best practices in contact tracing.

Protocol violators in the controversial birthday affair held at The Manor at Camp John have settled their penalties, the city’s public information office said.

The Manor paid a total of P9,000 (P1,000 for violation of Ord. 45-2020 Face Mask Ordinance; P3,000 for violation of Ord. 46-2020 Physical Distancing Ordinance; P5,000 for violation of Ord. 53-2020 New Normal Operation for Business Establishments).

A total of 33 participants in the event including Mrs. Arlene Magalong, Tim Yap and artist KC Concepcion have each paid their fines of P1,000 for violation of Ord. 45-2020 and P500 for Ord. 46-2020.

The Manor submitted a commitment to follow health protocols, which is another requirement of the City Permits and Licensing Division before it can renew its business permit.

construction this summer – a physically distant, protocol compliant outdoor activity that can employ many. Begin with health facilities, he said.

“Build while the sun is up, before the rains come, and the typhoons do damage,” he said.

“Step on the gas on vaccine procurement. That is Article One hat the government must do. Joblessness is a result of jab-lessness,” he said.

The government turned in good spending numbers, except in the sector which it should have pumped in more – infrastructure. He asked why spending in this area came to only P680 billion in 2020, which

was 35 percent lower than the previous year.

Meanwhile, Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano’s independent bloc at the House of Representatives has filed a resolution asking the leadership to lead efforts to control the soaring prices of basic goods such as meat and vegetables.

The proposed House resolution asserts that it is imperative for the House “to investigate this issue to be able to determine what actions the government has taken to address the matter and what other policies and programs must be pursued to sustainably feed the country’s growing population in the new normal.”

Association of the Philippines there should be “no limit on who shall be included in that review, from the President to police commissioners below and in between.”

“Is the review panel prepared to tackle incitement? Is the review panel prepared to tackle those who have repeatedly said ‘I have your back’ to the killers in uniform, to the serial killers in

uniform?” she added.

“The review panel must be prepared to integrate into its review [of] the systems, the leadership at the highest level that has allowed for that policy.”

Malacañang has repeatedly said deaths linked to the drug war were neither state-initiated nor sponsored despite observations that Duterte’s rhetoric might have incited violence against drug suspects.

Meanwhile, Global watchdog Human Rights Watch on Friday called on the Senate to conduct a more “expan-

sive and serious” investigation on the spate of killings in the country, which they said would cover Philippine National Police’s alleged complicity in the incidents.

“What we need to see is an honest to goodness accounting of the PNP’s conduct in the past 4 years, specifically related to the killings,” Carlos Conde, Asia researcher of HRW, told ANC. Over 6,000 people died from the government’s brutal campaign against illegal drugs, Conde said.

for Sinovac.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers are working to secure halal certification for their products, Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said.

The Bangsamoro Region leaders earlier said the COVID-19 vaccine should have halal certification.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos defines “halal” in Arabic to mean “permissible” and refers to food and non-food products that are lawful for consumption.

Also, based on Shari’ah law, the con-

cept covers other transactions including banking, finance and other activities Islam believers are engaged in.

“We have asked for that information sa ating mga applicant (from our applicants),” Domingo said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“Pfizer-BioNTech, they are working on Halal certification. AstraZeneca, (they have) certification (with no) animal product or animal source (on their vaccines), but they are still working on their Halal certification,” Domingo added.

So far, the FDA has issued emergency use authorization to COVID-19 vac-

cines made by Pfizer-BioNTech, and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

Pfizer-BioNTech showed an efficacy rate of 95 percent and 92 percent in its study population and among all races, respectively based on FDA’s evaluation.

AstraZeneca, for its part, was found to have a 70 percent efficacy rate after the first dose—a rating that goes higher depending on the interval of giving the second dose—after FDA scrutiny.

Other COVID-19 vaccine makers with pending EUA application before FDA include Sinovac, Gamaleya, and Bharat BioTech.

The world has seen more than 100 million confirmed cases since the disease emerged in central China at the end of 2019.

Transmitted through respiratory droplets, the disease attacks the lungs, kidneys, intestines and heart.

It can also infect male reproductive organs, impairing sperm cell development and disrupting reproductive hormones, earlier studies have shown. The same receptors the virus uses to access lung tissue are also found in the testicles.

But the effects of the virus on the ability of men to reproduce re-

mained unclear.

Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki and Bakhtyar Tartibian from Justus-LiebigUniversity in Germany searched for biological markers that might indicate a negative impact on fertility.

Analysis done at 10-day intervals for 60 days in 84 men with COVID-19 was compared to data for 105 healthy men.

In the COVID-19 patients, sperm cells showed a significant increase in markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, a chemical imbalance that can damage DNA and proteins in the body. AFP

Pump-priming...

From A1 7.42 million families, allot almost 60 percent of their income on food. If the daily minimum wage won’t be enough to buy a pot of chicken tinola, then hunger becomes COVID’s deadliest side effect,” he said.

Recto said the government should take advantage of the good weather until midJune to boost construction and agriculture as well as domestic tourism, as long as proper health protocols are in place.

He said the government should also turn the entire country into a beehive of

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From A1 the government will really think about it. It is really inconvenient for both the individuals and the health workers,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during an online briefing.

Vergeire said there were studies claiming the virus may linger in the anus or in fecal matter longer than the respiratory tract, thus making anal swabbing viable.

But she said the technology of anal

Two US adults test positive for S. Africa variant A MUTATED variant of the novel coronavirus first detected in South Africa emerged Thursday in the United States, The Wall Street Journal said in a report.

Two adults -- neither of which knew each other nor have travelled to South Africa -- tested positive for the variant.

The South African variant, which has been detected in more than 30 countries, is the third to be detected in the US following the mutated virus strains from the United Kingdom and Brazil.

Pfizer vaccine not linked to deaths

The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus jab has no link to reported post-vaccination deaths and no new side effects, the EU’s medicines regulator said Friday based on the first data from the vaccine’s rollout.

The update by the Amsterdambased European Medicines Agency followed reports that dozens of mainly elderly people had died in Norway and other European countries after receiving a first shot of the vaccine.

The EMA said it had looked at the deaths and “concluded that the data did not show a link to vaccination with Comirnaty (the vaccine) and the cases do not raise a safety concern.”

In its first safety update since the EU started its vaccination campaign in December, the watchdog said that overall, data “is consistent with the known safety profile of the vaccine, and no new side effects were identified.”

Reports of occasional severe allergic reactions did not go beyond what had already been found about this “known side effect,” it added.

“The benefits of Comirnaty in preventing COVID-19 continue to outweigh any risks, and there are no recommended changes regarding the use of the vaccine,” the EMA said.

Hungary approves Sinopharm jab

Hungary on Friday became the first EU member to approve the Chinesemade Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, a week after it also broke ranks with Brussels by issuing a provisional permit for Russia’s Sputnik V jab.

“Today the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYEI) gave its approval for the Sinopharm vaccine,” Chief Medical Officer Cecilia Muller told a briefing. AFP

AFP...

From A1 adding he would take responsibility for the matter.

“I personally take responsibility for their actions. This is the reason why I issued a public apology and reiterated it in my succeeding interviews. The procedure my staff did to post in FB (Facebook) was confined in my office,” Arevalo said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, said Arevalo’s decision to go on a leave of absence was totally unnecessary.

“That is a laudable act of Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo but totally unnecessary as I don’t think the case warrants a formal inquiry. It is an open and shut case: a list was given by an office to another office which proved to be garbage and coming from the intelligence division? As I said it was an unpardonable gaffe,” he said when sought by reporters for a reaction on the matter.

Lorenzana also said the morale of the AFP was not affected by the relief of Luna from his post over the incident.

“I think the morale of the AFP is not adversely affected by the relief of MGen Luna. Everyone knows the principle of command responsibility: a commander is responsible for whatever his unit does or fails to do. My action means that everyone knows this by heart and abides by it.

I will not allow subordinates to be scapegoats,” he added. swabbing will still have to undergo validation with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and approved for registration with the Food and Drug Administration if it is brought into the country.

Anal swabbing is now being done in certain Chinese cities, serving as an alternative to throat swabs or saliva samples, which is partially being used in the Philippines.

On social media, Chinese netizens reacted negatively to the process, saying it is “low harm, but extreme humiliation.”

News

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Probe sought on fertilizer bidding

By Rey E. Requejo

116 bottles of liquid marijuana seized

A

N UMBRELLA of groups of agriculture stakeholders has sought a Senate investigation into the regional bidding being conducted by the Department of Agriculture for the purchase of fertilizer at P950 per bag, which is much higher than the prevailing retail price of only P880 per bag or P70 more.

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs has intercepted 116 bottles of liquid marijuana at the Central Mail Exchange Center at the NAIA Complex in Pasay City.

The BOC-NAIA said the intercepted packages were declared as “Dietary Supplements” with different consignees.

The attempt to smuggle the bottles was prevented through strict profiling and the conduct of physical examination. The DEA Chemical Laboratory Test confirmed that the seized packages contained liquid cannabis.

PDEA said the importation of marijuana in any variety and form, including derivatives, is prohibited under R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. All seized packages were immediately turned over to the PDEA for further investigation and case buildup against the people responsible for shipping them.

Customs said it will continue to be vigilant against all attempts to bring into the country prohibited, restricted and dangerous goods.

TIME CAPSULE. Officials and personnel of the Office of the President-Malacañang Engineering Office, led by acting director IV Benefredo Bulatao, lower a time capsule into the ground during the groundbreaking ceremony at the New Executive Building area, Malacañang compound, Manila, on Friday. The ceremony was for the construction of a two-story concrete building with a roof deck in the area.

US gives P24m to launch plan on immunization

By Rey E. Requejo THE United States has donated P24 million to bankroll the launching of the Philippines’ national immunization program against measles, rubella and polio.

In a statement released by the US Embassy, USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II joined Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Cavite Rep. Luis Ferrer IV and General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer to kick off the second phase of the Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR OVP SIA) at the General Trias City Medicare Hospital in Cavite on January 29.

The MR OPV SIA Phase 2, a followup to the Philippine government’s Phase 1 immunization campaign last year, will include the entire Visayas, Metro Manila, Central Luzon and CALABARZON regions.

Under this immunization campaign, the Philippine government aims to vaccinate 4.8 million children under five years old against polio, and 5.1 million children between nine and 59 months old against measles and rubella.

Through a partnership with UNICEF, the USAID assistance includes technical expertise, logistics support and community engagement for the vaccination campaign.

Hardy called on local leaders to support immunization programs and encouraged parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated against these lifethreatening diseases.

“Our efforts to protect Filipino children from these diseases will enable them to attend school, participate in community activities and contribute fully to society,” Hardy said.

Duque said “Vaccination saves lives and prevents disabilities from such diseases. These vaccines can give our vulnerable children a good start at life so they can grow into healthy and productive adults.

Above all, no child should be left behind.”

In a January 25, 2021 letter to Senator Francis Pangilinan, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rosendo So, chairman of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, said they again received many complaints from rice farmers questioning the propriety of the DA’s regional bidding for the procurement of urea fertilizer at P950 per bag when the prevailing retail price of the farm input was only averaging P880 per bag.

“If you would recall, we have similarly raised this concern last year when the negotiated centralized bidding price was P995/bag, when in fact the prevailing retail price then was only between P830-P850 (per bag),” So said, citing the receipts provided by farmers showing that the retail price of urea fertilizer was P880 per bag.

The SINAG official urged the senator to initiate an inquiry into the DA’s bidding for the purchase of fertilizers that was reverted back to the regional offices last December 2020, after the department previously adopted the centralized bidding system last year purportedly to make the bidding more transparent and aboveboard.

“We are also wondering why the negotiated bidding was reverted to regional bodies when the claim for centralized bidding last year by the DA was to make the bidding transparent and aboveboard,” So said.

“We are hoping that the Senate, thru your office, can shed light on these matters for the sake of our rice farmers and their families.”

P1m fine for telcos delaying MNPA rollout

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday warned telecommunications companies against attempts to further delay the already forestalled implementation of the Mobile Number Portability Act, saying they will be levied appropriate penalties.

The MNPA, otherwise known as Republic Act 11202 or the Act Requiring Mobile Service Providers To Provide Nationwide Mobile Number Portability To Subscribers, imposes as much as a P1million fine to telcos.

It will also revoke their franchises to operate if they will repeatedly refuse to implement the portability within the period allowed under the law, Gatchalian said.

The MNPA allows subscribers to transfer from one service provider to another without changing their mobile numbers

free of charge.

Gatchalian said the law should have been carried out as early as January 2020 since the law was signed in February 2019 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations were issued in June 2019.

But in a letter to the senator by the telcos in December 2019, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Dito Telecommunity said they needed an independent third party contractor to manage mobile porting services to ensure better interoperability and might take until July this year to set up the whole mechanism.

A telco representative, during Wednesday’s Senate Public Services committee hearing, said the telcos will start the interoperability test in June this year and will carry out the full commercial launch

by September. They cited the pandemic as the reason behind the revised timeline.

DONATION. The Bureau of Customs on January 29, 2021 donated gadgets to the Department of Education for use in the online learning

program. The turn-over was conducted at the Bureau of Customs Situation Room in Manila attended by Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones and Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, with the virtual presence of Department of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez.

NLEX urged to address complaints Bill seeks end

By Maricel V. Cruz to use of cedula

ACCIDENT. An accident occurred along the Nasugbu Highway in Barangay Bayabasan,

in Batangas on January 29, 2021. An accident also took place here on July 30, 2020, when a truck lost its brakes and ran over some vehicles.

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Friday urged the North Luzon Expressway operator to address the complaints from customers about overcharging by its Easytrip radio frequency identification or RFID system.

Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said irate travelers have taken to social media platforms, including Easytrip’s Facebook page, to ventilate their grievances in the hope that they will catch the attention of the operator and the Department of Transportation and Toll Regulatory Board.

He said many travelers complain that they are charged for the entire length of NLEX for shorter trips.

“In some cases, they are even charged twice,” he said.

Defensor said one exasperated overcharging complainant has labelled Easytrip as “Easythief.”

Another expressway user claiming to be a victim of disappearing load described it as “high-tech pangongotong (extortion).”

Defensor said aside from overcharging and disappearing loads, other complaints include poor customer response service, RFID scanners that don’t work and an Easytrip app that cannot be accessed.

He said based on Easytrip’s own website, complaining NLEX customers get a standard response: “Our apologies for the inconvenience. we will get back to you as soon as possible.”

Immigration posts sharp decline in tourist visa extensions in 2020

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration has reported a 45-percent drop in the number of applications for tourist visa extensions for 2020.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the bureau’s Tourist Visa Section processed 240,276 applications for extension of stay of tourists, which was 44.67-percent lower than the 434,251 ap-

plications it received in 2019.

Morente said the sharp decline in numbers was expected, considering that the entry of aliens remains restricted following the travel bans set due to the Covid-19 pandemic that started in March last year.

“International travel restrictions remain in place even as we anticipate a gradual lifting of these restrictions this year as the vaccines against COVID-19 begin to ar-

rive,” he said.

“We hope that the tourism industry will finally rebound at least by the second or third quarter of 2021 and the Philippines will once again open its doors to foreign visitors.”

Morente also said that, due to entry restrictions on foreign tourists, the amount of visa extension fees also registered a significant decrease in 2020.

He said the agency’s collections from visa extension fees amounted to only P1.3 billion last year, which was 40 percent less than the almost P2.2 billion earned in 2019.

The collection from visa extension fees is one of the major sources of revenue for the agency, and has always been considered as indicative of the Philippines’ growing reputation as a major tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

By Maricel V. Cruz

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda has filed a bill that would streamline government processes, abolish the Community Tax Certificate and mandate that the business registration be reduced to one day.

The bill would also provide that social services be made accessible anywhere in the country.

Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, filed House Bill 8455, or the “Government Services Modernization Bill,” which would streamline inefficient government processes and abolish redundant government processes and requirements.

Among the reforms in the bill are the abolition of the cedula or community tax certificate, one-day business registration, and the “portability” of all social benefits, including PhilHealth, Social Security System, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and other social programs.

“The cedula has become obsolete for almost all intents and purposes. It’s time we phased it out as it adds nearly an entire day to most government transactions that require it. The cedula was established when the use of government identification cards was not yet widespread. That is no longer the case. As a government requirement, punitin na natin ang cedula,” Salceda said.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

LGUs

QC to trace fans of ‘Wil’ Revillame

By Rio N. Araja

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Manila vaccine storage unveiled

By Willie Casas

M

ANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso unveiled on Friday the city’s new COVID-19 Vaccine Storage Facility, which can store vaccine vials from different pharmaceutical firms.

The facility was unveiled after national government officials from the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team visited the Sta. Ana Hospital on Friday. It is located at the 7th floor of the hospital.

Refrigeration units have already been deployed at the facility, which includes five HYC-390 refrigerators for AstraZeneca and Sinovac vials, two -25°C biomedical freezers, and two -30°C biomedical freezers for Johnson&Johnson and Moderna vials.

Three more refrigeration units are expected to arrive at the Sta. Ana Hospital — the -86°C ULT freezers that can store Pfizer vials.

During the presentation of the facility, Domagoso said the local government is committed to helping the national government inform and educate the public about how important COVID-19 vaccination is to end the pandemic.

“COVID-19 vaccination ang susi sa pagbubukas muli ng ekonomiya,” Domagoso said in a statement.

“I want people to be able to return to work safely, they can ride public transportation again comfortably, businesses can open, those who have lost their jobs can move, children can go back to school,” the mayor added.

CODE Team officials visited the vaccine storage facility following a presentation by City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Pangan for the Manila COVID-19 Situation Report.

During the presentation, Dr. Pangan presented the response efforts of the local government, which includes the city’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, the construction of a vaccine storage facility, the deployment of 14 quarantine facilities, and the free swab test services for residents and workers, among others.

TRIAL SHOT. Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi gets a trial shot as he leads the city’s Vaccination Simulation Exercise on Friday in anticipation of the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Muntinlupa has secured 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines to inoculate residents in high priority groups (see story below).

SBMA to release P123.1m in LGU revenue shares SUIBC BAY FREEPORT—Staying true to its mandate of spurring development among the eight local government units (LGUs) near the Subic Bay Freeport, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) continues to provide revenue shares to neighboring communities despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency will release next week a total of P123.1 million, which came from revenue collections between July and December 2020 and the retained amount from the 2018 second semester LGU share.

For the entire 2020, the SBMA has released a total of P277.98 million in revenue shares to seven municipalities and one city near the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“The release for this period is 29.9 percent lower than the shares for the same period last year, which was P175.7 million. And this goes to show how much the COVID-19 health crisis has impacted— and continues to impact—Freeport operations,” Eisma said.

“But it also goes to show that despite Covid-19, the SBMA and business locators in the Freeport have sustained economic growth and that Subic Bay will continue to be a catalyst for development in this part of the country,” she added.

For this period, Olongapo City will receive P28,631,819.10 in LGU share; followed by Subic, Zambales with P18,820,655.14; Dinalupihan, Bataan P15,311,741.98; San Marcelino, Zambales P14,753,996.41; Hermosa, Bataan

P12,818,258.50; Castillejos, Zambales P11,522,821.52; Morong, Bataan P10,697,853.76; and San Antonio, Zambales P10,549,471.67.

The SBMA will release the shares to LGU officials in staggered schedules beginning next week.

The LGU share is determined according to population (50 per cent), land area (25 per cent), and equal sharing (25 per cent). Olongapo, which is a highly urbanized city, always received the biggest chunk of the shares.

The shares constitute 2% of the 5% gross corporate income taxes paid by business enterprises in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and were intended to augment LGU funds for tourism, infrastructure, education, peace and order, health, and livelihood generation.

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) to immediately conduct contact tracing of those who trooped to television host Willie Revillame’s studio from Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning.

“We will conduct contact tracing and will offer free testing to those who gathered in front of the studio. I am inviting those who may not have been listed to submit themselves for testing at any of our community-based testing centers so we can prevent the community transmission of COVID-19,” she said.

While Revillame did not announce that he would distribute money, fans stormed the Wil Tower along Eugenio Lopez Drive, hoping the host would continue his annual tradition of providing financial assistance during his birthday.

The TV host called Belmonte to express his apprehension over the probable gathering.

“I assured him I would send enforcers over to his place to control any crowd and make sure minimum health standards are followed,” Belmonte said.

The camp of Revillame provided Belmonte with a list of those who went to Wil Tower.

Based on the report submitted by the Quezon City Police District, Brig. Gen. Danilo Macerin personally inspected the area Wednesday night, and reiterated to everyone to always observe health protocols.

Oca gives bikes to 76 workers

By Jun David MAYOR Oscar “Oca” Malapitan gave bicycles to 76 job order workers of the Caloocan City Government on Friday.

The mayor had announced last Monday he would distribute 100 bicycles donated by Elton Ang, former president of Caloocan Industrial and owner of Masterbatch Philippines Inc., to the city’s job order workers.

According to Mayor Oca, the workers needed to send a letter request to his office to be selected as one of the beneficiaries of the program. After a week, 76 job order workers sent letters.

As promised, Mayor Oca turned over the bicycles yesterday.

“I am deeply grateful for this donation by Mr. Elton Ang for our City Government. And in recognition of the service of our job orders, I thought of distributing these bicycles to them. We want to help them and make them feel their importance as public servants of Caloocan,” he said.

Muntinlupa holds vaccination simulation MAYOR Jaime Fresnedi led the Muntinlupa city government’s first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination simulation at Muntinlupa National High School - Main on Friday.

Fresnedi said the simulation exercise aims to prepare local vaccination teams on the proper handling and vaccine administration in anticipation of the national government’s approval of a vaccine for use and distribution and arrival of supply.

Muntinlupa City Health Officer Dra. Teresa Tuliao added that the exercise will help the local government to further improve its vaccination site management. Muntinlupa CHO eyes to convert the city’s 28 public schools as vac-

cination centers.

Vaccination facilities are designed to have areas for registration, counselling and consent, screening, vaccination proper, and post-vaccination monitoring.

Tuliao noted that the local government targets to inoculate 5,600 persons per day through its 56 vaccination teams under the best-case scenario of supply availability.

The operational logistics of the vaccination program are also being readied to ensure that vaccines will be handled and disposed correctly and properly, including reverse logistics.

The local government will be purchasing 48 refrigerators and 2 freezers as storage equipment for the vaccines.

LEARNING SUPPORT. In support of the Modular Learning System amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Francisco N. Mamba Jr (third from left) and Vice Mayor William N. Mamba (fourth from left) of Tuao, Cagayan turn over 14 duplicating machines and 3,115 reams of bond papers to the Department of Education-Tuao on Wednesday at the Municipal Hall. Also present were Dr. Clifford Vallejo, Tuao Dep-Ed District Supervisor, Councilor Nicanor Turingan Jr., SB Member on Education, school heads (East and West), and Frederick Baligod, Municipal Administrator. LGU Tuao / Jessica M. Bacud

Arcillas confirms Nissan departure in March SANTA ROSA, Laguna—Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas has confirmed that Nissan Philippines Inc. will cease production of its Nissan Almera in the city effective March this year.

“I was informed about it two weeks ago.

They notified me officially through a letter and personally during a meeting,” she said, adding the decision had been made following the expiration of the assembly contract between Nissan and its partner Univation Motor Philippines, a major locator in the city.

“Of course, we in the city government are saddened by this recent development, especially since Nissan is one of the pioneer car companies that made Santa Rosa their home.

But the move is aligned with their plan towards optimized production and efficient business operations in the ASEAN region. And that is, of course, something we cannot go against,” the mayor explained.

Arcillas said the city is still hopeful that if Nissan decides to resume local production, the City of Santa Rosa is still on top of its list.

The mayor clarified that Univation Motor Philippines will continue its operations in the city.

“Univation will still be here in Santa Rosa.

They assured me that they still have other contracts and will still bring business in (the city),” she shared. Roy Tomandao

Opinion It’s all propaganda THIS is not gonna sit well with some of my friends. But I don’t believe the abrogation of the UP-DND Accord is an attack against academic freedom. Thus, I can’t see anything to stand for if their call for action is based on that.

Let’s go back to 1989 when the accord was signed. What was the gain for both parties, signatories to the accord and who exactly gained from that?

No UP student, faculty and personnel gained from the accord. In fact, it was detrimental to their security. As the 1989 Agreement requires that prior notice be given by the AFP, Philippine Constabulary, or the CAFGU intending to conduct military or police operations in any of the UP campuses, to the University President, the Chancellor of the constituent university, or the Dean of the regional unit concerned, or their respective officers-in-charge in the event of their absence, when the situation so warrants, the police force were effectively pulled out from the campuses of the UP System.

What exactly is this animal called academic freedom?

Now, how many of my friends have narrated their experiences of being held up inside the Diliman campus? And what about the frequent rumbles we have personally witnessed in the small eatery beside our favorite watering hole then—Gulod (I’m not sure what it is called now but I think it has since been converted into an art nook).

Actually, I think Gulod itself is a violation on the restrictions on the selling of liquor as it is well within the campus.

But anyway, how are these possible? It is because UP Diliman Campus is not strictly an academic campus. It is a diverse community which includes commercial areas (UP-Technohub comprise the largest), and even squatters’ areas. It’s time we put an end to this political correctness stupidity which sugarcoats every term at the whim of the advocates including terms for the most notorious criminal.

Just recently, I drove to Mang Larry’s Ihaw-ihaw (Yes, Mang Larry is also a squatter inside the campus) to get some barbecued pork intestine. But then, there was this guy projecting himself as a toughie who kept on bullying Mang Larry’s customers. To whom should we report him? No UP Police was in sight. I don’t even think they are aware the squatter’s area and even the commercial areas are part of their responsibility.

So, why was the accord signed? It was to further the political ambition of the former President Fidel Ramos, who signed the accord on behalf of the government in his capacity as

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

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EDITORIAL

then secretary of the DND. The people that time, including the Left, were still high on the popular EDSA uprising.

Signing that accord, would not only minimize or neutralize Ramos’ political opponents, but even gain him some supporters.

The accord was but superfluous that even the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said it was unnecessary as even if the agreement contained provisions barring the AFP from interfering with peaceful protests they’re peaceful anyway), prohibiting the serving of warrants against any member of the academic community without prior notification to the University officials, and prohibiting the conduct of a custodial custody any member of the academic community, there is a provision which states “nothing herein shall be construed as a prohibition against the enforcement of the laws of the land.”

So, what about police or military operations on the squatters’ community who obviously are not members of the academic community?

Don’t tell me that academic freedom some people are standing for is also their concern.

So, back to the argument of academic freedom. What exactly is this animal?

In a press statement, Gabriel Villanueva, OSG’s Spokesperson for the NTF, defines academic freedom as right of the school or college to decide for itself, its aims and objectives, and how best to attain them free from outside coercion or interference save possibly when the overriding public welfare calls for some restraint. Indeed, the Constitution allows merely the State’s regulation and supervision of educational institutions, and not the deprivation of their rights.

The essential freedoms subsumed in the term “academic freedom” encompasses the freedom to determine for itself on academic grounds: (1) Who may teach, (2) What may be taught, (3) How it shall be taught, and (4) Who may be admitted to study. Undeniably, the school’s prerogative to provide standards for its teachers and to determine whether these standards have been met is in accordance with academic freedom that gives the educational institution the right to choose who should teach.

Thus, with the abrogation of the accord, has the above-mentioned “freedom” been attacked?

Has the abrogation of the agreement posed a threat to students of the University? What exactly is the threat if there is any? As a friend, radio commentator Jorge Bandola puts it, “Are students of UP now, suffering from fear of having a barrel of a gun pointed at their heads to claim they are no longer academically free?

Unfortunately, some people are joining the “fight for academic freedom bandwagon” even without knowing what the issues are, even posing more hardcore than the militant themselves. If there are cases of some people being more popish than the pope, these people who have taken the issue without even analyzing them, have become more activist than the activist themselves. Mas tibak pa sa tibak.

They have totally ignored the fact that the issue of academic freedom is nothing but a front, a propaganda tool. And all because they share a common enemy—this administration.

I myself am not a DDS. But I won’t fall for that trap. Not anymore.

A bleak 2021 WHILE people are busy complaining about red-tagging, the uncertainties on the availability and quality of COVID-19 vaccines, Congress’ discussion of charter change, and other issues, the government released the economic data for 2020.

As expected, the Philippine economy shrank significantly in 2020. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)growth for the year was negative 9.5 per cent. This is the worst since World War II or 1947 when data started to become available. This decline is even worse than what the country experienced during the time of Ferdinand Marcos, and surpassed the World Bank projection of a 6.9 slump as of September 2020.

We all know that this economic recession is primarily caused by the pandemic. However, government’s inability to effectively handle COVID-19 is also to blame. For one, we have the longest lockdown period in the world. Metro Manila, the center of the country’s economic and public life has been in quarantine since March 15 of last year and it remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

Ten months should have been more than enough for the administration to come up and implement effective measures to even just reduce the pandemic’s effects on the economy and people’s health. But until now, new COVID-19 cases are reported by the thousands and the new and more contagious variant is already in the country.

More and more businesses, big and small, have closed or are closing down resulting in massive unemployment. As of October 2020, an estimated 3.8 million Filipinos were jobless. Moreover, according to the Department

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

of Labor and Employment (DOLE), more than 600,000 Filipino overseas workers have been displaced as of August of last year due to the pandemic. The big bulk of these OFWs has since returned to the country, unemployed.

The numbers should be higher by now.

The more than 25 million Filipinos working in the informal economy have been disproportionately affected as well. Many of them, particularly those operating micro-livelihood activities, have stopped because they no longer have any capital to use having been used for the needs of their families.

Thus, it will not be surprising if our middle class has shrunk and the poor have become poorer. Money is scarce and it is difficult to induce spending beyond basic necessities when people feel quite uncertain of what will happen. The natural tendency is for people to become very careful in their expenditures.

Economically speaking, this may be a most difficult year for many of us.

With government’s incompetence in handling the pandemic, it is hard to expect investors to put their money in the Philippines especially since the problem is worldwide.

Investors are more likely to do business with countries that have displayed effective and efficient measures in addressing COVID-19.

It does not help that prices of basic commodities are soaring. Not a few have been complaining about how a small cabbage now costs more than PhP100.00 and ampalaya is now P200.00 a kilo and eggplant costs almost the same. The prices of seafoods and meat products are also quite prohibitive. Yet, we do not hear of moves by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

B

What happened in Baguio

AGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has resigned as contact tracing star for the National Task Force Against COVID-19. Magalong quit because he and his wife attended a birthday party at a posh hotel in the city, where the guests were found to have violated health protocols such as keeping social distance and wearing masks.

Many who have less to contribute than Magalong does selfishly cling to their posts and continue to inflict themselves on us.

“In hindsight, being a senior officer of the (National Inter Agency Task Force for COVID-19), I should have done an immediate spot correction of the errors I witnessed (at) the time,” Magalong wrote in his resignation letter.

“This is a reminder that a higher standard is expected of me,” he added.

Magalong has taken one step further than the other VIPs found to have violated protocol during these precarious times. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III saw nothing wrong with going to the hospital to accompany his wife—and going to the supermarket before that—even as he had known he had tested positive for the virus. Deplorably, the Justice Department just last week cleared Pimentel of violating the law by saying he was not a health official and was therefore not covered by the prohibitions, never mind that he was a ranking lawmaker whose entitlement took precedence over basic consideration for the welfare of others.

And then there is now-Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas, who in May,

The task force rejected his resignation, saying its leadership continues to have trust and confidence in him.

“We could not accept his resignation because he has done a lot for us,” said NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez.

Magalong insisted his resignation was irrevocable.

In previous months, Magalong’s able handling of the pandemic in Baguio City was held as an example to many local government units.

Earlier this month, however, the detection of the virus’ new strain in neighboring Mountain Province caused renewed concerns in the area.

Magalong acknowledged his judgment lapse in attending the party, his way of thanking the host, he said, for the latter’s efforts to promote local tourism and help the city’s struggling artists.

as chief of Metro Manila police, did not have the moral boldness to turn away his well-wishers who surprised him with a dawn birthday party. No less than President Duterte cleared Sinas and even rewarded him with the top post at the PNP. Other mortals have been arrested and detained—even killed—for less serious violations, and even as these were done to earn a living.

Filipinos’ dismay and disenfranchisement with VIPs who are first to break the very rules they are supposed to enforce comes from the many months of sacrifice and restraint, even at the cost of our comfort and livelihood.

Magalong sets a sterling example for all public officials who have erred, and will still err, during this pandemic. Of course the best scenario was that officials did their job well and did not violate any rules, making their leadership effective. But in the event of human lapses, the Baguio mayor shows us the next best thing: That officials acknowledge their failure, embrace the consequences of their actions, acknowledge that nobody is indispensable, and in all humility and decency step down from their post—rejecting the notion they are a cut above the rest.

Many who have less to contribute than Magalong does selfishly cling to their posts and continue to inflict themselves on us. Mayor Magalong’s decision is an act of decency we rarely see these days.

The mothballing of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Part I THE mothballing of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was a criminal conspiracy by a foreign-installed government to financially defraud the government. It wasa conspiracy committed by a government that claims to be holier-than-thou to financially discredit Marcos. Maybe we can say it was not the original plan of Marcos to put up a nuclear power plant but was suggested to him by the very people who will work to derail the project that culminated in his ouster from office.

The idea supposedly came from Eugenio Lopez, Sr., who would later become his arch-enemy. Lopez conveyed it to a loyal political ally, Senator Lorenzo Tañada, who worked for the passage of R.A. No. 5207, or the Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968 only to inexplicably call his sponsored law “a project of monumental corruption, greed and folly.”

Sensing that Marcos intended to push through with the project that would allow the country to make a great leap forward, he issued P.D. No. 1484 amending certain sections of R.A. No. 5207 titled “an Act providing for the licensing and regulation of atomic energy facilities and materials, establishing the rules on liability for nuclear damage”, on June 11, 1978. It was the National Power Corporation that negotiated the contract to purchase the nuclear power machinery and equipment at a base price of $329 million. Later, it was decided that Westinghouse would also design the nuclear steam supply, construct civil works, erect and test electro-mechanical equipment, manage construction and provide training services. The total cost for the equipment and to address this crucial problem.

How will poor Filipinos cope? What food are they eating now? What opportunities do they have to earn a living while keeping them safe from the virus? How will the country bring investor confidence back?

During the GDP briefing, the Acting Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) was asked about economic stimulus packages, he responded that risk aversion makes economic stimulus useless. I am no economist but my simple mind tells me that an increased government spending on matters that are important may actually reduce risk-aversion among people and investors.

It is also important to emphasize that economic stimulus MUST include assistance to those who have been hit worst by this pandemic—the poor. This is because people need to eat and spend for other basic necessities. An increased economic activity by the poor can stimulate the economy as the money will flow back to and circulate in the market. This will be good for the economy.

Government must also implement steps to increase vaccine confidence among our people. We must hurry to make the most effective and cost-efficient vaccine against COVID-19 available as soon as possible. When people feel and know that they are less at risk, they will feel more confident to go out and engage in economic activities.

services amounted to $562 million, at a September 1974 base price.

Since the delivery of the equipment and services would take about seven years, the base price was subject to escalation clause.

Interest during the construction period added a substantial amount to the total cost of the project. The financing charges were estimated at $266 million.

There were actually two sources for the project loan, which originally amounted to $1.109 billion. For the purchase of nuclear technology (equipment, materials, and fuel), NPC obtained a loan of $644.4 million (or 59.44 percent of the total cost) from the US Eximbank, the only financing institution authorized by the US government to purchase nuclear technology.

It was a criminal conspiracy.

Besides paying Westinghouse, NPC also had to undertake site selection and preparation, fuel procurement and contracting for fabrication and shipment, transmission facilities, insurance, etc., all of which were estimated to cost $166 million.

Based on the original design, the estimated total cost for the project until its completion in 1983 was $1.109 billion, broken down into foreign exchange costs of $833 million, and costs worth $266 million. All in all, NPC incurred additional project costs estimated at $844 million, broken down into the following components: Safety upgrades($100 million), cost escalation ($292 million), financing charges ($373 million), other contract scope changes ($79 million).

The hypocritical foreign-installed Aquino government ranted without let up about the corruption in the Marcos administration, yet Congress must halt efforts to amend the Constitution. There are many pressing issues that legislators need to focus on. We have had economic growth under this very same Constitution which proves that our problem is NOT the Constitution but how the pandemic is being handled. Congress should instead put their minds on how our economically devastated citizens may be helped in this time of widespread hardships. Beyond the urgently needed ayuda, our bright lawmakers should come up with laws on helping our people stand up again.

The present is difficult and the future is bleak.

While our economic managers are upbeat and predict economic recovery this year, other economic organizations are not as optimistic. Last year, the World Bank said that the country will recover later than our neighboring countries.

A major source of funds for the country the remittances of our OFWs will definitely go down because of the more than 600,000 displaced OFWs and slowdown of the economies of other countries. According to Think.ing.com, bank lending has also been lower and investment momentum is stalled.

The forecast is that the recession will continue through this year because trends point to weakness across key sectors.

Economically speaking, this may be a most difficult year for many of us. Now

her cabal in the opposition kept on introducing modifications to the project to allegedly ensure safety—until the cost ballooned to $2.3 billion. They coursed their suggestion through their political handlers who pretended to welcome them as fruitful contributions.

The estimated project cost then skyrocketed to $1.95 billion. As a captive client, NPC had to continue servicing the loan obligation. To quote Velasco: “Although the government’s basis for assuming NPC loans seemed reasonable (i.e., the mothballing of the nuclear power plant deprived the company of potential revenues from which to repay its obligations), nobody expected Mrs. Aquino to honor the nuclear power plant’s debts after claiming the project was tainted by fraud and corruption.

Despite calls by some of her closest supporters not to pay “fraudulent” debts, Mrs. Aquino chose to play safe and promised the country’s creditors that her government would “pay every cent” of the country’s foreign debts, including the nuclear plant’s.

What made the situation more awful was that Mrs. Aquino, in the eyes of the Western world, was hailed as the champion of freedom and democracy just as President Marcos was vilified as dictator.

It is said that the government paid out $460 million (P9.5 billion at the exchange rate of $1 = P21), or between $300,000 and $375,000 a day in debt service, from 1987 to 1989. Payments were made at a time when the economy was experiencing minimal to negative growth.

If we are to take the decision of President Cory Aquino to forego the operation of the BNPP, the next logical step should have been for her to discontinue the payment of loan. It was the escalation clause, the interest rate, the currency adjustment clause that buried NPC deep into the game engineered by hustlers on Wall Street.

Full version on www.manilastandard.net more than ever, we should help each other and the government needs to be responsive to people’s needs. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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EU dispute with vaccine firm worsens EUROPE’S row with AstraZeneca worsened after Germany declined to recommend the firm’s coronavirus vaccine for older people, while the more contagious South African variant of the virus was detected for the first time in the already hard-hit United States.

With anti-virus restrictions being tightened worldwide again, the economic toll came into focus with the United States seeing its sharpest contraction in growth since 1946.

UN data released Thursday also said the global tourism sector, battered by border closures and bans on mass gatherings, lost $1.3 trillion in revenue in 2020.

Given the world’s weariness over the pandemic that has now killed some 2.2 million people and infected more than 100 million, countries have been anxious to expedite vaccination campaigns.

There was encouraging news from US biotech firm Novavax, which said its twoshot vaccine showed an overall efficacy of 89.3 percent in a major Phase 3 clinical trial in Britain, and remained highly effective against a variant first identified there.

But other results showed it offered significantly less protection against a highly transmissible virus variant first identified in South Africa, which is spreading rapidly around the world.

The European Union’s inoculation efforts were hit by an announcement from AstraZeneca that it could only supply a quarter of the doses it had promised for the first quarter of 2021.

The EU has demanded the drug maker meets its commitments by supplying doses from its UK factories, but Britain insists it must receive all of the vaccines it ordered.

Adding to the row on Thursday was an announcement from Germany’s vaccine commission that it could not recommend AstraZeneca’s vaccine for those over 65 since there was not enough data to assess its efficacy.

AstraZeneca and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson immediately defended the vaccine, which has already been widely used in Britain on older people.

The European Medicines Agency is expected on Friday to announce whether to recommend authorisation of AstraZeneca’s shot. The regulator has already approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

Covid-19 has killed more than 432,000 in America, by far the highest absolute toll, and more troubling news came Thursday when authorities announced they had found two people in South Carolina infected with the strain first detected in South Africa. AFP

Peace activists wearing masks of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and newly elected US President Joe Biden pose with mock nuclear missiles in front of Berlin’s landmark the Brandenburg Gate on Jan. 29, 2021 in an action to call for more progress in nuclear disarmament. AFP

China won’t recognize UK-issued BNO passport C hina on Friday said it will “no longer recognize” the British National (Overseas) passport for Hong Kongers, as Britain prepares to offer millions of former colonial subjects a way to escape Beijing’s crackdown on dissent.

From Sunday, those with a BN(O) passport and their dependents will be able to apply online for a visa allowing them to live and work in the United Kingdom.

After five years they can then apply for citizenship.

The new immigration scheme is a response to Beijing’s decision to impose a sweeping national security law on the city last year to snuff out huge and often violent democracy protests.

Britain accused China of tearing up its promise ahead of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover that the financial hub would maintain key liberties and autonomy for 50 years. It argues it has a moral duty to protect its former subjects.

But on Friday Beijing hit back ahead of the upcoming change.

“From January 31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BN(O) passport as a travel document and ID document, and reserves the right to take further actions,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters.

It is unclear what China’s declaration means in practical terms.

But it sets the stage for further confrontation with London, and the threat of further action suggests Beijing may be preparing more restrictions for BN(O) holders down the line.

Chinese officials warned last year that they might consider ending recognition of

BN(O) passports. At the time they said it would mean BN(O) holders being unable to travel to the Chinese mainland.

However, it is unclear whether Chinese authorities would know who holds the document.

Hong Kongers use their own Hong Kong passport or ID card to leave the city.

To enter mainland China, they need to use their Hong Kong passport or a mainland travel permit.

The only time they might use a BN(O) passport is on arrival into Britain or another country that recognizes the document.

“It’s a strong message sent to the UK and other countries not to interfere into Hong Kong affairs, but in practical terms, I don’t think people would be intimidated into not applying,” Willie Lam, an expert at Hong Kong’s Centre for China Studies, told AFP. “There seems to be no way that the Hong Kong or Beijing authorities can find out who might or might not apply for the BN(O) passport because the British Consulate would not reveal their identity,” he added. AFP

Pope blames troublesome sciatica for missed masses

Motorists wear protective face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Hanoi on Jan. 29, 2021, a day after Vietnam recorded its first coronavirus outbreak in almost two months. AFP Manila

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N OTICE Notice is hereby given that DR. MOISES V. CACAWA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL with office address at 138 Magallanes Iraya, Brgy. Camambugan, Daet, Camarines Norte is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Operator of General Hospital- Level 1 under the Preferred ListHealthcare Services Including Drug Rehabilitation Centers (Dr. Moises V. Cacawa Memorial Hospital) with a capacity of 17 beds on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at 138 Magallanes Iraya, Brgy.

Camambugan, Daet, Camarines Norte.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(MS-JAN. 30, 2021)

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

Portugal parliament mulls ‘medically-assisted euthanasia’ PORTUGAL’S parliament is on Friday expected to pass a law allowing medically assisted dying, making the Catholicmajority country the fourth in Europe to legalise euthanasia.

Lawmakers approved proposals aimed at changing the law in February, setting up the vote despite a campaign by the Church for a national referendum on the issue.

The bill legalises access to assisted suicide for adult patients in a situation of “extreme suffering and irreversible damage”.

Doctors and psychiatrists must validate the decision if the patient’s ability to make a “free and informed” choice is in doubt.

The vote, expected around midday, will take place behind closed doors because of coronavirus restrictions.

Any new bill must then be signed into law by recently re-elected president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a staunch Catholic and conservative who has not publicly taken a position on the issue.

He could choose to veto the law, although a second vote by lawmakers would override the it. AFP

UN, foreign missions sound alarm over Myanmar coup fears MORE than a dozen embassies, including the US and EU delegation, Friday urged Myanmar to “adhere to democratic norms”, joining the UN in a chorus of international concern about a possible coup.

Myanmar is just a decade out of nearly 50 years of military rule, with a nascent democracy governed under a junta-authored constitution which dictates power-sharing between the civilian administration and the country’s generals.

For weeks, the powerful military has alleged widespread voter irregularities in November’s election, which Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy won in a landslide.

Their call for voter list verification ramped up this week, with an army spokesman on Tuesday refusing to rule out the possibility of a military takeover to deal with what he called a political crisis.

Fears grew after army chief General Min Aung Hlaing—arguably Myanmar’s most powerful individual—appeared to echo the sentiment Wednesday when he said the country’s constitution could be “revoked” under certain circumstances. AFP

POPE Francis apologised for staying sitting during an audience Friday, blaming the “troublesome” sciatica that has caused him to cancel several events in recent weeks.

“I would like to speak to you standing up but sciatica is a troublesome guest,” the 84-year-old told members of the Roman Rota, a top Catholic Church tribunal.

“So I apologize and will speak sitting down,” he added at the meeting marking the opening of the Holy See’s judicial year.

The Argentine pontiff was forced to delegate two masses on Sunday and Monday and postpone his New Year’s greeting Monday for ambassadors to the Holy See due to a bout of sciatica.

He also skipped New Year’s masses at St Peter’s Basilica as a result of the chronic nerve condition that causes pain in his hip, and for which he wears orthopaedic shoes.

However, he did lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday lunchtime as scheduled.

On the way back from a trip to Brazil in 2013, the pope told Reinforcement arrive reporters about suffering a bout of sciatica in the weeks after being elected head of the Catholic Church earlier that year. to boost farmers’ “The worst thing that happened – excuse me – was an attack protest camp of sciatica – really! – that I had the first month, because I was INDIAN authorities cut power and water sitting in an armchair to do interviews and it hurt,” he said when to a farmers’ protest camp on Friday and asked about his time in office so far. stepped up police pressure after a violent “Sciatica is very painful, very painful! I don’t wish it on anyrally in the capital -- but hundreds more arone!” rived on tractors to reinforce the campaign The pope walks with a slight limp as a result of the sciatica against rural reforms. but has had a generally healthy life, despite having had part of With thousands of extra paramilitaries his lung removed when he was a young man after developing put on duty, the government and farmers’ leaders signalled they wereBLACK digging in for pleurisy.AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

Panama’s border closure traps immigrants THE closing of Panama’s border due to Covid has stranded a thousand migrants—most from Haiti and Cuba —in Colombia, as they had planned to sneak across on their way to the United States, officials said Thursday.

Now in makeshift tents on the beach of Necocli, these migrants hope to sneak into Panama en route to the US by crossing the dangerous Gulf of Uraba to the Colombian border town of Acandi, emergency management director Cesar Zuniga told AFP. Acandi, a tiny Colombian town near the Panamanian border, however, has been unwilling to let the group come in,

IN BRIEF

Zuniga said.

“We plan to install toilets (...) and water tanks for them because they relieve themselves in the square,” an official from Necocli, a town of about 40,000 inhabitants, said.

Most of the migrants are Cuban and Haitian, including about 100 children and pregnant women, he said.

But there are also other foreign nationals among them, especially from African countries, including Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, DRCongo, Guinea and Somalia.

Acandi Mayor Alexander Murillo argues that if the group got stranded in his

town, which is even smaller than Necocli, there would be a “health risk” for residents due to Covid-19; as such, he urged authorities to set up a humanitarian corridor to Panama’s border.

Colombia’s migration service did not respond to his request.

Murillo said Colombia’s recent resumption of international flights has helped feed the surge in migrants into the area.

Colombia’s Gulf of Uraba is one of the main crossing points for migrants, some of whom also sometimes come from Asia, to reach the United States by the Caribbean, with stops in Central America. AFP

a prolonged new showdown in the twomonth battle over the deregulation laws.

Three days after clashes across the city that left one person dead and nearly 400 police injured, authorities turned the screws on camps around the edge of New Delhi where tens of thousands of farmers have waited for more than eight weeks.

“When we don’t have any land left, when we are unable to cultivate any crops, we are going to die anyway,” said Bhagwant Singh, a 53-year-old farmer at the encampment. “At least if we die here protesting, we will be martyrs. We will fight and die for the rights of the people of this country.”

Power and water were cut at the Ghazipur camp on one main road into Delhi.

Major police reinforcements went to the biggest camp at Singhu on another highway into the city and new concrete barriers were put up. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, January 29, 2021

-239.22 PTS. 6,612.62

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

41,762,733,134 180,080 3,614,014,603.46 91 133 44

Foreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.1210

Japan

Yen

0.009596

0.4618

UK

Pound

1.372200

66.0316

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128991

6.2072

Switzerland

Franc

1.125239

54.1476

Canada

Dollar

0.779545

37.5125

Singapore

Dollar

0.752502

36.2111

Australia

Dollar

0.767900

36.9521

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655478

127.7843

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266631

12.8306

Brunei

Dollar

0.749681

36.0754

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033311

1.6030

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1020

Euro

Euro

1.212500

58.3467

Korea

Won

0.000899

0.0433

China

Yuan

0.155039

7.4606

India

Rupee

0.013712

0.6598

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247280

11.8994

New Zealand

Dollar

0.717000

34.5028

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035727

1.7192 Source: BSP

Bangko Sentral sees January inflation hitting as high as 3.7% BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Friday inflation in January likely accelerated to as high as 3.7 percent from 3.5 percent in December on higher prices of fuel and power.

Diokno said in a message to reporters the January inflation likely settled within a range of 3.3 percent to 4.1 percent. The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official figure next week.

“Higher prices for fuel and meat as well as increased Meralco power rates and excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco contributed to upward price pressures during the month,” Diokno said.

He said the increases could be partly offset by stable rice prices, lower cost of selected fish and vegetables and the appreciation of the peso.

“The BSP will remain watchful of economic and financial developments to ensure the delivery of its primary mandate of price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth,” he said.

The inflation rate averaged 2.6 percent in 2020, slightly faster than 2.5 percent in 2019, as the string of typhoons in the latter part of the year contributed to the uptick in consumer prices.

The policy-setting Monetary Board, in a meeting on Dec. 17, retained the overnight borrowing rate at record low 2 percent because of the benign inflation environment. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were also kept at 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee, in consultation with the BSP, retained the inflation target at 2 percent to 4 percent for 2021 and 2022. It also set the inflation target at a range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2023 and 2024.

The latest BSP forecasts indicated that the inflation would settle within the target range for 2021 to 2022. The BSP said that for 2023 to 2024, inflation would largely be influenced by the pace of economic recovery in the post-pandemic period.

Julito G. Rada

NEW TRAIN. Officials of the Department of Transportation, Light Rail Transit Authority, Light Rail Manila Corp., ambassadors, consultants, contractors, loan financer and stakeholders unveil the first LRT-1 4th Generation Train Car at the Manila Harbor Center Port Services. LRMC, the private operator of LRT Line 1, says the state-of-the-art passenger train, designed by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Spain, measures 106 meters in length and 2.59 meters in width, with a maximum design speed of up to 70 kilometers per hour.

Stock market falls to lowest level in nearly three months

S

TOCKS tumbled Friday on rising virus infections worldwide and weak consumer spending that has been hampering economic recovery due to lockdown restrictions.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index plummeted 239.22 points, or 3.5 percent, to a near three-month low 6,612.62.

Value turnover reached just P3.6 billion, with losers beating gainers, 133 to 91, with 44 issues unchanged. The benchmark index closed at its lowest level since November 4, 2020, when it ended at 6,464.05.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group sank 8.2 percent to P60.80, while unit Universal Robina Corp., the largest maker of snack foods, fell 5.4 percent to P135.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, slumped 6.8 percent to P261, while Aboitiz Power Corp. of the Aboitiz Group dropped 6.8 percent to P24. SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group declined 4.1 percent to P35.30.

The rest of Asian and European markets also suffered more losses Friday, capping a painful week for global equities that has been characterized by fears over surging infections and stuttering vaccine rollouts.

Traders have been licking their wounds after the worst global rout since October, following a months-long rally that has seen several indexes strike record or multi-year highs.

But observers remain confident for the long-term prospects

of prices as the planet emerges from lockdowns and more people get inoculations.

Wall Street and most of Europe provided a positive lead, helped by some much-needed good news that fewer Americans than expected made claims for jobless benefits last week.

And data showing the US economy suffered its worst year since 1946—while growth tapered in the fourth quarter—also gave support to calls for lawmakers to pass Joe Biden’s huge stimulus proposals.

Tokyo shed close to two percent, while Seoul plunged more than three percent and Jakarta more than two percent, with Taipei off 1.8 percent.

Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore and Bangkok also suffered sizeable falls. Mumbai and Wellington both rose.

Several issues have combined to push markets down, including concerns that valuations had gone too far as well as the frightening spike in virus cases and new variants, along with stuttering vaccination campaigns around the world.

Markets have also been rattled by a David-and-Goliath battle between a growing number of chatroom-inspired retail traders and Wall Street investors centered on struggling video game retailer GameStop, which has seen a number of professional dealers lose billions of dollars.

“The mood has become quite gloomy on vaccinations, which may not be surprising given we are in the pandemic’s darkest time so far,” said Axi strategist Stephen Innes. “But I think it’s important not to lose sight of what matters from a medical perspective: the vaccines work.” With AFP

Electronics group forecast exports expansion of 7%

By Othel V. Campos

PAGCOR DONATION. A priest blesses the site where the multi-purpose evacuation center in Barangay Kayan West, Tadian, Mountain Province will be built.

State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is funding the construction of evacuation centers in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Tadian, Mountain Province, that will cost P50 million. The facilities will address the lack of appropriate evacuation facilities not only in the recipient towns but also in neighboring communities.

BPI says economic recession over, expects 6% recovery this year BANK of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, is optimistic the recession experienced by the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic is over and that a 6-percent economic growth could be expected in 2021.

BPI Asset Management and Trust chief investment officer Smith Chua said in an online event Friday there were indications the recession was over, judging from the gradual recovery of the economy that posted a lesser 8.3-percent contraction in the fourth quarter, an improvement from the 11.4-percent decline in the third quarter.

“The economy is opening... Is it something that we can look forward to...,” Chua said.

“Our GDP may grow by 6 percent this year...we are fine-tuning our numbers,” he said.

However, he said much of the economic recovery would hinge on the rollout of the vaccines this year.

Chua said supporting the recovery of the economy were the manageable inflation environment, the government’s higher fiscal spending and the monetary policy support from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

“Inflation will remain benign this year and may average 3.2 percent from 2.6 percent last year. Also, the support that we are seeing from the BSP is there...

The government is providing fiscal spending to the tune of P4.5-trillion,” Chua said. “These are measures intended to provide economic support,” he said.

Chua said the expected economic recovery would favor more the equities than fixed income market.

The Philippine Statistics Authority re-

ported Thursday that the economy contracted 9.5 percent in 2020, the worst on record since the government started collecting gross domestic product data in 1946, a year after the Second World War ended.

The decline surpassed the 7-percent contraction posted in the latter part of the Marcos administration in 1984. Factors that contributed to the decline were the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and a string of natural disasters such as the Taal Volcano eruption in January and strong typhoons in the fourth quarter.

The agriculture sector declined by 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter and -0.2 percent for the full year. Industry fell 9.9 percent in the fourth quarter and -13.1 percent for the entire year. Services, meanwhile, contracted 8.4 percent in the fourth quarter and -9.1 percent the whole year. Julito G. Rada

THE electronics and semiconductor industry expects a 7-percent growth in exports this year, after shipments fell by over 7 percent last year.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed electronics exports dropped 7.6 percent to $37 billion in 2020 from $40 billion in 2019. The rate of decline was slower than the 10.1-percent drop in total exports to $63.77 billion from $70.93 billion.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. said exports in December reached $3.9 billion, up 2.4 percent from November, while imports fell 9.1 percent to $2.3 billion from the previous month.

Total electronics imports in 2020 amounted to $25.95 billion, or 30.3 percent of total Philippine inbound shipments.

“The increase in exports is caused by the slow but steady economic recovery from the initial impact of the pandemic, which bodes well for the semiconductor and electronics industry that has a projected growth of 7 percent for 2021,” said SEIPI president Dan Lachica.

He said quarantine restrictions, the global pandemic and economic situation could affect the growth of the industry.

“This is why SEIPI is truly grateful for the assistance and quick responses of the various government agencies that we have had the pleasure to work with. Their assistance has been invaluable to the industry as we resume operations, while observing strict health protocols,” Lachica said.

Fund managers withdrew $4.2b in investments from PH in 2020

By Julito G. Rada FUND managers pulled out $4.2 billion from the Philippine financial markets last year amid prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed over the weekend.

Registered foreign portfolio investments—also called hot money— yielded net outflows of $4.2 billion in 2020, the highest on record. This was a result of the $15.9-billion gross outflows and $11.7-billion gross inflows last year.

The 2020 net outflows were also bigger than the $1.9-billion net outflows in 2019.

Data showed that the net outflows last year included net outflows in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed shares ($3.3 billion); peso government securities ($931 million); and other portfolio instruments ($22 million).

The $11.7-billion total registered portfolio investments in 2020 fell 29.7 percent from $16.6-billion level in 2019. These investments were predominantly in PSE-listed securities (80.5 percent) mostly in property companies, holding firms, banks, food, beverage and tobacco firms and information technology companies, while the balance (19.5 percent) were invested in peso government securities.

The United Kingdom, Singapore, the United States, Luxembourg and Hong Kong were the top five investor countries last year, with combined share of 78.2 percent “Developments for the year included the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the global economy and financial system, along with international and domestic developments throughout the year such as geopolitical tensions, certain corporate governance issues and extended community quarantine measures in various regions in the country,” the BSP said.

IN BRIEF

PNR introduces new trains from Indonesia THE Philippine National Railways has deployed three new trains from Indonesia that will run from Tutuban in Manila to Los Baños in Laguna.

With the addition of the new Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives train sets, the PNR Metro Commuter Line now can serve 140,000 passengers daily, doubling the current capacity of 48,000 to 60,000 per day.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new PNR train sets assures the riding public of safe, convenient, and comfortable travels.

Tugade noted that PNR stations had increased from 25 to the present 34.

“For you to have an improved rail movement, you must have the facility, and the rails. You must have the trains and the coaches, and you must have the people. The three are being done by PNR,” he added.

Tugade thanked PT INKA and the Indonesian Embassy in Manila for their support in realizing the development projects of the country, especially in the rail sector.

Darwin G. Amojelar

AC Energy lists 2.27m shares, raises P5.4b AC ENERGY Corp., a unit of Ayala Corp., on Friday listed 2.27 million shares at the Philippine Stock Exchange following the completion of a stock rights offering that raised P5.4 billion.

“Today, we raised over P5.37 billion from ACEN’s SRO…The tripling of ACEN’s balance sheet would pave the way for rapid expansion of its renewable business across the region, while also allowing us to make more sustainable investments that are certainly needed and welcomed during this challenging times,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, AC Energy chairman, during the listing ceremonies at the PSE. ACEN conducted a stock rights offering from January 18 to January 22 at price of P2.37 per share.

“Moving forward, we’re excited of the forthcoming integration of Ac Energy’s international assets into a unified platform under ACEN. This would put us in an excellent position to reach our goal of 5000 megawatts of renewables capacity by 2025 and be Southeast asia’s largest listed renewables platform,” Zobel de Ayala said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

DTI’s Lopez upbeat on e-commerce deals THE phenomenal growth of Philippine ecommerce prompted the Department of Trade and Industry to strive to increase the value of the industry to as much P1.2 trillion by 2022, or about 5.5 percent of the economy.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez during the launch of the E-commerce Roadmap Friday put the estimated value of ecommerce in 2021 at P850 billion, or 4.3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

“We need to take advantage of how the pandemic has boosted e-commerce in the Philippines, given that people now accept the digital life as the “New Normal.” We are confident that the new e-Commerce Roadmap will help us in this regard,” he said.

The DTI is optimistic the number of ecommerce enterprises would increase to 750,000 by 2021 and 1 million by 2022 from 500,000 in 2020.

Lopez noted the significant increase in the number of online sellers that registered with the Business Name Registration System of the DTI in 2020. Othel V. Campos

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

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Tennis players ‘go wild’ as quarantine ends

Spanish Tennis player Rafael Nadal (center) smiles as he joins women’s world no. 3 Naomi Osaka (right) of Japan and men’s no. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia at an event “A Day at the Drive” after a two-week quarantine in Adelaide, ahead of their Australian Open warm up matches. AFP

Obiena to test mettle in 2 World Tour events

Sotto welcome to join Ignite after FIBA stint

By Peter Atencio

TEEN phenom Kai Sotto and Indian standout Princepal Singh will miss 11 games in the NBA G League bubble in Orlando, Florida next month.

But Team Ignite will still welcome the 7’3” Sotto, along with Singh back once they are done with their commitments with the Gilas Pilipinas and Indian national men’s basketball team, respectively.

“We want him to do well in those competitions. And when he comes back, we’ll see what happens,” said Team Ignite coach Brian Shaw.

Shaw said Sotto’s situation is similar to Ignite teammate Princepal Singh.

“He (Sotto) will be travelling and playing internationally. And quarantine times can be a lot longer.

And we don’t know how that is going to play in terms of him coming back, and if he’s going to play with the team or not,” added Shaw.

Team Ignite will debut without Sotto and Singh starting on Feb. 10 when they clash with the Sta. Cruz Warriors.

Both have obligations with their respective national teams.

The 6’10” Singh is joining India’s campaign in FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers in Group D and has also left the squad ahead of Sotto.

Team Ignite entered the Orlando bubble on Jan. 26, Tuesday without Sotto, who travelled back to the Philippines.

He was supposed to play with the Gilas, but the games were cancelled after Philippine organizers decided not to push through with its hosting of the FIBA-Asia Cup qualifiers next month.

Travel restrictions imposed by the government due to the continuing threat of COVID-19 have forced organizers to call off hosting the cagefest, set from Feb. 18 to 21.

The qualifiers are being rescheduled, with the location of Group A now slated in Doha, Qatar, according to FIBA. Peter Atencio

T

OKYO Olympicsbound Ernest John Obiena will once again test his level of competitiveness this weekend.

Obiena will join a series of European indoor competitions starting this Sunday in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The 24-year-old Obiena will take part in the resumption of the International Association of Athletics Federation’s World Indoor Tour in the southwestern German city.

Obiena’s mom Jeannette said he will be travelling alone to Germany after getting the nod of authorities from Formia, Italy, where he trains, in compliance with health and safety protocols concerning coronavirus transmissions.

“Mag-isa lang siyang pupunta doon (Germany). Hindi kasama ang coach at ang training partner,” said Jeannette.

This year’s World Indoor Tour got underway in Boston last Saturday with the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

The start of the 26Former world record day tour includes stops holder Renaud Lavillein Torun (Feb. 6), Manie finished fourth with drid (Feb. 8) and Bir5.70m. mingham (Feb. 16), Obiena’s stint in the before the finale in Düssouthern part of Europe seldorf (Feb. 20). was done with the help Obiena was also alof coach Vitaly Petrov, lowed to join the Torun and the guidance of 2016 leg in Poland next weekRio champion Thiago end, his second tournaBraz of Brazil. ment in the World Tour.

IAAF World Indoor After this, Obiena Tour Tour points will will join regular Eurobe up for grabs in seven pean indoor meets in other events and focus Berlin, Lievin and Lodz will on the star-studded in the coming weeks of Ernest John Obiena women’s pole vault, February. which features the third Obiena is coming out of an almost head-to-head of the year between world fourth-month layoff. and Olympic champion Katerina SteIn Obiena’s last outing in Rome last fanidi of Greece and rising US star Katie September, Obiena tied with Belgian Nageotte.

Ben Broeders for second place with a Stefanidi won the gold in their last leap of 5.8 meters, smashing his previ- meeting following countback at the Pole ous 2020 best of 5.74 in a gold-medal Vault Summit in Reno 13 days ago, when performance in Ostrava, the Czech Re- both cleared 4.74m. public a week prior.

Then, Nageotte gained the upper hand in In the same meet, Armand Duplantis Boston, topping 4.86m on her first attempt made heads turn when he broke Sergey to notch the first tour win of her career. It Bubka’s world outdoor record at 6.15 me- was also an early season world lead and Naters on his second attempt. geotte’s second highest leap ever.

ADELAIDE—Serena Williams took her daughter to the zoo and Novak Djokovic walked barefoot in a park as the stars of tennis emerged from a fortnight of quarantine ahead of the coronavirus-delayed Australian Open Friday.

More than 1,000 players, coaches and officials jetted into largely virus-free Australia this month for 14 days’ lockdown ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year, with most allowed out for just five hours of daily supervised training.

Big guns Williams, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka were among a select group that served their time in Adelaide rather than Melbourne ahead of an exhibition in the southern city on Friday.

Seven-time Australian Open winner Williams, who is gunning for one more Slam title to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 at next month’s tournament, spent her two weeks holed up with three-year-old daughter Olympia.

“I’m so glad the quarantine is over because to be in a room with a three-yearold and being her best friend is definitely difficult, especially after training and working out and then it’s like, oh my gosh, it never ends,” said Williams.

“But it was fun... honestly I wouldn’t trade anything for spending hours with her.”

Asked what she did on her first day of freedom, Williams said they headed to the zoo.

“We had a calendar in our room and every day we marked an x on the days that went by and a big circle on the quarantine ending day, and we promised that we would take her to the zoo to see koalas and kangaroos,” said the American.

She later played her first match of the season, with Olympia among a packed crowd at Memorial Drive, beating a sometimes-erratic world number three Osaka 6-2, 2-6 (10/7).

“I haven’t seen people in—it feels like forever,” Osaka told the crowd.

Australia’s world number one Ashleigh Barty was due to face secondranked Simona Halep later.

‘Walk in the park’ Aggressive restrictions on incoming travel have helped keep the coronavirus at bay in Australia, making it one of the countries that is still able to have fans at sports events.

With thousands of Australians stranded abroad, the players’ arrival prompted some disquiet among the public, especially when some complained about their quarantine and cases sprang up among the travelling party.

Djokovic only played one of his two scheduled sets against Jannik Sinner due to a large blister on his right hand, winning 6-3 in his first competitive game of the year. AFP

Tougher grind awaits Knott in Arkansas

Kristina Knott all set for more demanding event.

NEW Philippine sprint queen Kristina Knott was the relatively easier challenge when she broke the national record twice in the women’s 60-meter event of the KMS Invitational Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama last Monday.

But this weekend, the 25-year-old Knott will be in a more demanding event when she sees action in the Arkansas leg of the World Athletics Silver Tour at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville.

The event this weekend offers opportunities for professional athletes to return to competition in preparation for an Olympic year.

“All 3 races were won by a considerable margin and it was more to see where our training and fitness levels are. The only strategy was to be consistent and she accomplished that by running all three rounds in the same time range,” said Knott’s coach Rohsaan Griffin in an online interview with the Manila Standard.

During the KMS meet, Knott eclipsed the Philippine mark established by re-

tired sprint queen Lydia de Vega back in 1988.

In the finals, Knott took the gold with a lower time of 7.32 seconds, with Ashley Kelly taking the silver in 7.62 seconds, and Jasmine Riley settling for the bronze in 7.67 seconds at the Metrocross Plex tracks in Birmingham, Alabama.

De Vega held the national indoor record after she clocked 7.37 seconds in Japan 23 years ago.

Knott, who has already shattered three Philippine records set by De Vega, topped the first heat in 7.33 seconds, beating Ashanti Tigner’s 7.76, and Amanda Lowe (7.81).

Griffin said that if Knott does well, she will have a chance to join two more legs of the the American Track league.

“For KK, there are two more opportunities to compete in the American Track league. But it’s based on if they extend another invite if her performance is good enough,” explained Griffin. Peter Atencio

Fans get to watch live NBA game, thanks to COVID-sniffing dogs MIAMI—Miami Heat fans were able to watch a basketball game in person for the first time since the pandemic shut down the NBA last March—in part thanks to dogs trained to detect Covid infections.

With the canine help, real life spectators streamed once more into American Airlines Arena in Miami before the game against the LA Clippers Thursday—though only 2,000 were allowed, or just 10 percent of the venue’s capacity.

A “canine team” guided two trained pups along the line of socially distanced fans waiting to

enter the arena, and the dogs sniffed each person’s hands.

“Dogs (screen) for drugs, so why not for coronavirus?” 25-year-old fan Kayla Roeber said to AFP, having just been smelled. “I think that it would prevent a lot of viruses from spreading, a lot of people entering buildings who have it.”

If the dogs detect the virus, they indicate it to their handler by sitting down next to the individual in question.

In that case, according to the team’s website, the potentially contaminated person and their com-

panions must leave the line and are not permitted to enter the game.

Their tickets are refunded.

“They can spot it (COVID-19) within seconds. Dogs are the most efficient mobile detection system,” explained Michael Larkin, the vice president of the Global K9 Protection Group, which manages the dogs.

“They are a living, breathing animal that has this incredible olfactory senses that are used across the world in a variety of environments,” he said.

He explained how they are trained to find the virus.

The “dog is not going ‘Okay, tonight I’m finding COVID-19,’” he said. “They’re playing a game... they’ve been imprinted to find this odor, and when they find it, they get rewarded.”

The dogs are just an extra level of protection against the spread of coronavirus at Heat games. Fans must still maintain social distancing and masks are required.

The Miami Heat are the first NBA team to try this screening method, which has already been tested in airports in Santiago, Dubai and Helsinki. AFP

K-9 handlers stand with specially trained dogs that detect coronavirus in people at the American Airlines Arena prior to the NBA basketball match between Miami Heat and the LA Clippers in Miami. Miami Heat fans were able to watch their team’s game live for the first time at an NBA game since the pandemic began in March of last year, thanks to dogs trained to detecT COVID-19. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 Standard C2 TODAY Manila

NATIONAL STRATEGIC GOOD LIST 2021 DUAL USE LIST (Annex 2) Summary of Changes INTRODUCTION This document summarizes the amendments to Annex II of the National Strategic Goods List (NSGL) - the Dual Use Goods List.Amendments, revisions, new and deleted entries in the 2021 NSGL can be found in the Official Gazette and DTI – STMO website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/business/strategictrade.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR EACH SECTION OF NSGL ANNEX 2: New Notes General Notes to Annex II New/ Deleted Acronyms CEP EEPROMS ENOB EUV EMP ESD HDMI LTT MRAM NIJ PDK QE rms ROIC WHO New/ Amended Definitions “Cyber incident response” “Cryptography” “Equivalent standards” “Hard selectors” “Linearity”

“Personal area network”

3A001.b.3. Note 1 3A002.a.6.b.

Specific Entries Circular Error Probable Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory [deleted] Effective Number of Bits Extreme Ultraviolet Electromagnetic Pulse Electrostatic Discharge High-Definition Multimedia Interface Light Triggering Thyristor Magnetic Random Access Memory National Institute of Justice Process Design Kit Quantum Efficiency root mean square Read-out Integrated Circuit World Health Organization Specific Entries (4) means the process of exchanging necessary information on a cybersecurity incident with individuals or organizations responsible for conducting or coordinating remediation to address the cybersecurity incident. includes decryption.

(1) means comparable national or international standards recognized by the Philippines or Wassenaar Arrangement Participating States and applicable to the relevant entry.

(5) means data or set of data, related to an individual (e.g., family name, given name, email, street address, phone number or group affiliations).

(2) (Usually measured in terms of non-linearity) means the maximum deviation of the actual characteristic (average of upscale and downscale readings), positive or negative, from a straight line so positioned as to equalize and minimize the maximum deviations (5) means a data communication system having all of the following characteristics: Allows an arbitrary number of independent or interconnected ‘data devices’ to communicate directly with each other; and Is confined to the communication between devices within the immediate physical vicinity of an individual person or device controller (e.g., single room, office, or automobile).

b.

Technical Notes: 1. ‘Data device’ means equipment capable of transmitting or receiving sequences of digital information.

2. The “local area network” extends beyond the geographical area of the “personal area network”.

“Satellite (57) means a system consisting of ground stations, a constellation of navigation system” satellites, and receivers, that enables receiver locations to be calculated on the basis of signals received from the satellites. It includes Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Regional Navigation Satellite Systems (RNSS).

“Sub-orbital craft” (9) means a craft having an enclosure designed for the transport of people or cargo which is designed to: a. Operate above the stratosphere; b. Perform a non-orbital trajectory; and c. Land back on Earth with the people or cargo intact.

“Superalloys” (2 9) means nickel-, cobalt- or iron-base alloys having a stress rupture life greater than 1 000 hours at 400 MPa at 922 K (649°C) or higher.

“Vacuum electronic (3) means electronic devices based on the interaction of an electron devices” beam with an electro-magnetic wave propagating in a vacuum circuit or interacting with radio-frequency vacuum cavity resonators. “Vacuum electronic devices” include klystrons, travelling-wave tubes, and their derivatives.

“Vulnerability (4) means the process of identifying, reporting or communicating disclosure” a vulnerability to, or analyzing a vulnerability with, individuals or organizations responsible for conducting or coordinating remediation for the purpose of resolving the vulnerability.

Category 0 0B001.b.11., 0B001.c.3, 0B001.e.1., 0B001.e.2., 0B001.f.1., 0B001.g.3., 0B002.g., 0B004.b.2, 0B004.b.6.,0C005 0B006 Notes a. & b., 0C004 Note 1

New or Additional Entries/ Comments

3A002.d.5. &Tech Note

New Nota Bene to reference control entry 6B002 Chapeaux amended; new Technical Note for local definition for ‘computational lithography’; former Note deleted

3D003, TechNote & (Note)

3E002.a., b., c., Tech Notes 1 & 2

3E004

3D005

Category 4 4E001 Note 1& Tech Notes Category 5 Part 1 5A001.h.1.

5A001.j.2.a. &Tech Note

5D001.e., TechNotes & Note

Notes amended

Entry rewritten to include cascading structure

1B231.b.2

Minor change e. Planar absorbers having no magnetic loss and fabricated from ‘open-cell foam’ plastic material with a density of 0,15 g/cm3 or less.

5E001.a

Technical Note: ‘Open-cell foams’ are flexible and porous materials, having an inner structure open to the atmosphere. ‘Open-cell foams’ are also known as reticulated foams.

5A002. N.B.

1C350 Note 3 1C351.a.59

Category 5 Part 2 5A002.a.

Parameter amended

1C353.b.

1A006, 1A006 Tech Note, 1C003.c.2., Editorial change 1C010.e.2.c., 1C353 Category 2 2A001

New or Additional Entries/ Comments Chapeaux amended

2A001 Note

Note deleted

2A001.a.

“or Class 2” added after “Class 4”

2A001.c

Parameter amended

2A101

“of” added after “having all”

Note 4: A machine tool having an additive manufacturing capability in addition to a turning, milling or grinding capability must be evaluated 2B001 Note 4 against each applicable entry 2B001.a.,.b. or.c.

Gear machine tool entry amended including a cascaded 2B003 structure for the control criteria Technical Note 2: ‘measuring range’ means the distance between the 2B006.b.1. minimum and maximum working distance.

Parameters changed for nominal size (DN) and nominal pipe 2B350.g.1.a., 2.a. size (NPS) of valves; new Technical Note 3 with reference inter &Tech Note 3 alia to ISO standard (DN) and ASME standard (NPS) Technical Notes: 2B352.b. Tech Notes 2. Cultivation chamber holding devices include single-use cultivation chambers with rigid walls.

Category 3

3A001.a. Note 1 & Note

New or Additional Entries/ Comments Comma added after “3A001.a.14. “ to ensure that the description applies to ICs in all entries referenced.

Note 3:The status of wafers (finished or unfinished), in which the function has been determined, is to be evaluated against the parameters of 3A001.a., 3A001.b., 3A001.d., 3A001.e.4., 3A001.g., 3A001.h., or 3A001.i.

Note 1 moved to 3A as Note 3; Note 2 renamed Note

3A001.a.2. Note

“designed” added after “integrated circuits”

3A001.a.5.b.

2. A resolution of 12 bit or more and having any of the following: a. An ‘adjusted update rate’ of exceeding than 1 250 MSPS but not exceeding 3500 MSPS, and having any of the following: 1. A settling time less than 9 ns to arrive at or within 0,024 % of full scale from a full scale step; or 2. A ‘Spurious Free Dynamic Range’ (SFDR) greater than 68 dBc (carrier) when synthesizing a full scale analogue signal of 100 MHz or the highest full scale analogue signal frequency specified below 100 MHz; or b. An adjust update rate’ exceeding 3500 MSPS;

3A Note 2 3A Note 3

5A002.a. Tech Note 2

5A002.a. Tech Note 2.c.

5A002.a., Note 2.f.

5A002.a., Note h.

5A002.a., Note 2.j.

5A002.b. &Tech Note

5A004.b.

5D002.a.3.

5D002.b.

5E002.a.

Category 6

New or Additional Entries/ Comments

6A001.a.1.c.1.b. & Tech Note

Minor changes

6A001.a.2.a.

Tech Note 1 & 2

Note: 6A001.a.2. also controls receiving equipment, whether or not related in normal application to separate active equipment, and specially designed components therefor.

6A001.a.2.a.6.

6. Designed for operation at depths exceeding 1 000 m and having a ‘hydrophone sensitivity’ better than -230 dB below 4 kHz;;

6A004.c.4.

6A003.b.4.b.

Note 3.b.1.

Entry amended, per Kelvin added to the parameter 1.Having a minimum horizontal or vertical ‘Instantaneous-Field-of-View (IFOV)’ of at least 2 mrad (milliradians); Note 6: For the purposes of 6A005.a. and 6A005.b., ‘single transverse mode’ refers to “lasers” with a beam profile having an M2-factor of less than 1,3, while ‘multiple transverse mode’ refers to “lasers” with a beam profile having an M2-factor of 1,3 or higher. a.‘Single transverse mode’ and output power exceeding 500 W; or 1.Average output power exceeding 1 000 W; or 2.Having all of the following: a.Average output power exceeding 500 W; and b.Spectral bandwidth less than 40 GHz; or

6A005 Note 6

6A005.a.6.a.

6A005.a.6.a.1. & 6A005.a.6.a.2.a.

6A005.a.6.b.

TechNote 6A005.a.6.b.1.

6A005.a.6.b.

Note 2

Technical Note: For the purposes of 3E004 ‘SFQR’ is the range of maximum deviation and minimum deviation from front reference plane, calculated by least square method with all front surface data including site boundary within a site.

“Software” specially designed to restore normal operation of a microcomputer, “microprocessor microcircuit” or “microcomputer microcircuit” within 1 ms after an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) or Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) disruption, without loss of continuation of operation.

Category 7

New or Additional Entries/ Comments Acronym IEDs added after Improvised Explosive Devices Definition “hard selectors” changed from a local to a global definition; Technical Note deleted e. “Software”, other than that specified in 5D001.a. or 5D001.c., specially designed or modified for monitoring or analysis by law enforcement, providing all of the following:

6A008.i., Note b.1. & TechNote 6A108 6A108.c.

6B002

Category 8

8A002.d.

Note: 5D001.e. does not control “software” specially designed or modified for any of the following: a.

Billing purposes; b.

Network Quality of Service (QoS); c.

Quality of Experience (QoE); d.

Mediation devices; or e.

Mobile payment or banking use.

Reference added to 5D001.e.

9A004.h.

Para. chapeaux and sub-para. 1 merged; sub-para. 2 deleted Entry amended to include gateways (added after switches) j. Items specially designed for a ‘connected civil industry application’, meeting all of the following: 1. Being any of the following: a. A network-capable endpoint device meeting any of the following: 1. The “information security” functionality is limited to securing ‘non-arbitrary data’ or the tasks of “Operations, Administration or Maintenance” (“OAM”); or 2. The device is limited to a specific ‘connected civil industry application’; or b. Networking equipment meeting all of the following: 1. Being specially designed to communicate with the devices specified in paragraph j.1.a. above; and 2. The “information security” functionality is limited to supporting the ‘connected civil industry application’ of devices specified in paragraph j.1.a. above, or the tasks of “OAM” of this networking equipment or of other items specified in paragraph j. of this Note; and 2. Where the “information security” functionality implements only published or commercial cryptographic standards, and the cryptographic functionality cannot easily be changed by the user. a. Being a ‘cryptographic activation token’; Technical Note: A ‘cryptographic activation token’ is an item designed or modified for any of the following: 1. Converting, by means of “cryptographic activation”, an item not specified in Category 5 – Part 2 into an item specified in 5A002.a. or 5D002.c.1., and not released by the Cryptography Note (Note 3 in Category 5 – Part 2); or 2. Enabling, by means of “cryptographic activation”, additional functionality specified in 5A002.a. of an item already specified in Category 5 – Part 2. b. Items, not specified in 4A005 or 5A004.a., designed to perform all of the following: 1. ‘Extract raw data’ from a computing or communications device; and 2. Circumvent “authentication” or authorisation controls of the device, in order to perform the function described in 5A004.b.1.

Technical Note: ‘Extract raw data’ from a computing or communications device means to retrieve binary data from a storage medium (e.g., RAM, flash or hard disk) of the device without interpretation by the device’s operating system or filesystem.

Note1: 5A004.b. does not control systems or equipment specially designed for the “development” or “production” of a computing or communications device.

Note: 5A004.b. does not include: a. Debuggers, hypervisors; b. Items limited to logical data extraction; c. Data extraction items using chip-off or JTAG; or d. d. Items specially designed and limited to jailbreaking or rooting.

3. Equipment or “software”, as follows: a.

Equipment specified in 5A004.a. or “software” specified in 5D002.c.3.a.; b. b. Equipment specified in 5A004.b. or “software” specified in 5D002.c.3.b. b. “Software” having the characteristics of a ‘cryptographic activation token’ specified in 5A002.b.;

Technical Note: For the purposes of 6A008.i. ‘instrumented range’ is the specified unambiguous display range of a radar.

Radar systems and tracking systems and radomes, other than those specified in entry 6A008, as follows: c. Radomes designed to withstand a combined thermal shock greater than 4,184 x 106 J/m2 accompanied by a peak over pressure of greater than 50 kPa, and usable in “missiles” for protecting against nuclear effects (e.g. electromagnetic pulse (EMP), X-rays, combined blast and thermal effects).

Masks and reticles, specially designed for optical sensors specified in 6A002.a.1.b. or 6A002.a.1.d.

New or Additional Entries/ Comments

7A117 &Tech Note

Technical Notes: 1. For the purposes of 5D001.e., a ‘handover interface’ is a physical and logical interface, designed for use by an authorized law enforcement authority, across which targeted interception measures are requested from a communications service provider and the results of interception are delivered from a communications service provider to the requesting authority. The ‘handover interface’ is implemented within systems or equipment (e.g., mediation devices) that receive and validate the interception request, and deliver to the requesting authority only the results of interception that fulfil the validated request.

2. ‘Handover interfaces’ may be specified by international standards (including but not limited to ETSI TS 101 331, ETSI TS 101 671, 3GPP TS 33.108) or national equivalents.

New or Additional Entries/ Comments

Technical Note deleted 1. ‘Wall-plug efficiency’ exceeding 18 % and output power exceeding 1 000 W; Sub-paras. a., f. and g. deleted; sub-para. e. parameter changed from 4 to 6 kW Definition ‘instrumented range’ changed from a global to a local definition in the chapeaux and in Note b.1.

7A103.c.&TechNotes 1&2

8A001.c.

“Satellite navigation system” replaces Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Entry amended to refer to secure “cryptographic activation” 2. For the purposes of 5A002.a., ‘described security algorithm’ means any of the following: a. A “symmetric algorithm” employing a key length in excess of 56 bits, not including parity bits; b. An “asymmetric algorithm” where the security of the algorithm is based on any of the following: 1. Factorization of integers in excess of 512 bits (e.g., RSA); 2. Computation of discrete logarithms in a multiplicative group of a finite field of size greater than 512 bits (e.g., DiffieHellman over Z/pZ); or 3. Discrete logarithms in a group other than mentioned in paragraph b.2. in excess of 112 bits (e.g., Diffie-Hellman over an elliptic curve). c. An “asymmetric algorithm” where the security of the algorithm is based on any of the following: 1. Shortest vector or closest vector problems associated with lattices (e.g., NewHope, Frodo, NTRUEncrypt, Kyber, Titanium); 2. Finding isogenies between Supersingular elliptic curves (e.g., Supersingular Isogeny Key Encapsulation); or 3. Decoding random codes (e.g., McEliece, Niederreiter).

Technical Note: An algorithm described by Technical Note 2.c. may be referred to as being post-quantum, quantum-safe or quantum-resistant.

Entries amended (average deleted)

7A003. Tech Note a., 7A005, 7A005.b 7D003.b.2, 7D005

Execution of searches on the basis of “hard selectors” of either the content of communication or metadata acquired from a communications service provider using a ‘handover interface’; and Mapping of the relational network or tracking the movement of targeted individuals based on the results of searches on content of communication or metadata or searches as described in 5D001.e.1.

2.

b. “Technology” having the characteristics of a ‘cryptographic activation token’ specified in 5A002.b.

3. Equipment, as follows: a.

Equipment specified in 5A004.a.; b.

Equipment specified in 5A004.b.

Note: 5D002.c.3.b. does not control “intrusion software”.

Note: 5E002.a. does not control “technology” for items specified in 5A004.b., 5D002.a.3.b. or 5D002.c.3.b.

‘Computational lithography’ “software” specially designed for the “development” of patterns on EUV- lithography masks or reticles.

Technical Note: ‘Computational lithography’ is the use of computer modelling to predict, correct, optimize and verify imaging performance of the lithography process over a range of patterns, processes, and system conditions.

Technical Notes: 1. For the purpose of 3E002.a. and 3E002.b., ‘floating-point’ is defined by IEEE-754.

2. For the purpose of 3E002.c., ‘fixed-point’ refers to a fixed-width real number with both an integer component and a fractional component, and which does not include integer-only formats.

“Technology” “required” for the slicing, grinding and polishing of 300 mm diameter silicon wafers to achieve a ‘Site Front least sQuares Range’ (‘SFQR’) less than or equal to 20 nm at any site of 26 mm × 8 mm on the front surface of the wafer and an edge exclusion less than or equal to 2 mm.

New or Additional Entries/ Comments Definitions “vulnerability disclosure” and “cyber incident response” changed from local to global definitions; Technical Notes 1 and 2 deleted

1.

Minor editorial change.

Technical note amended Chapeaux amended Sub-paras. amended to include cascading structure ‘CAS’ added before the number in each entry.

66. Methyl dichlorophosphate (CAS 677-24-7); 67. Ethyl dichlorophosphate (CAS 1498-51-7); 68. Methyl difluorophosphate (CAS 22382-13-4); 69. Ethyl difluorophosphate (CAS 460-52-6); 70. Diethyl chlorophosphite (CAS 589-57-1); 71. Methyl chlorofluorophosphate (CAS 754-01-8); 72. Ethyl chlorofluorophosphate (CAS 762-77-6); 73. N,N-Dimethylformamidine (CAS 44205-42-7);s 74. N,N-Diethylformamidine (CAS 90324-67-7); 75. N,N-Dipropylformamidine (CAS 48044-20-8); 76. N,N-Diisopropylformamidine (CAS 857522-08-8); 77. N,N-Dimethylacetamidine (CAS 2909-14-0); 78. N,N-Diethylacetamidine (CAS 14277-06-6); 79. N,N-Dipropylacetamidine (CAS 1339586-99-0); 80. N,N-Dimethylpropanamidine (CAS 56776-14-8); 81. N,N-Diethylpropanamidine (CAS 84764-73-8); 82. N,N-Dipropylpropanamidine (CAS 1341496-89-6); 83. N,N-Dimethylbutanamidine (CAS 1340437-35-5); 84. N,N-Diethylbutanamidine (CAS 53510-30-8); 85. N,N-Dipropylbutanamidine (CAS 1342422-35-8); 86. N,N-Diisopropylbutanamidine (CAS 1315467-17-4); 87. N,N-Dimethylisobutanamidine (CAS 321881-25-8); 88. N,N-Diethylisobutanamidine (CAS 1342789-47-2); 89. N,N-Dipropylisobutanamidine (CAS 1342700-45-1).

Note amended Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-related coronavirus) ‘not used’

5D002.c.3.

3B001.h. N.B.

1B002

1C001.a Note 1.d.2 1C002 Tech Note 3 1C006.d.

1C010.c.1.

1C350.1. to 65.

1C350.66, .67, .68, .69, .70, .71, .72, .73, .74, .75, .76, .77, .78, .79, .80, .81, .82, .83, .84, .85, .86, .87, .88 & .89

“Vacuum electronic device(s)” now global definition.

3B001.h.

3A002.d.6.

1A005.b.

1C001.a. Note 1 & TechNote

5E002.b.

Technical Note: ‘RF modulation bandwidth’ is the Radio Frequency (RF) bandwidth occupied by a digitally encoded baseband signal modulated onto an RF signal. It is also referred to as information bandwidth or vector modulation bandwidth. I/Q digital modulation is the technical method for producing a vector-modulated RF output signal, and that output signal is typically specified as having an ‘RF modulation bandwidth’.

6. A maximum frequency exceeding 90 GHz; Multi-layer mask control amended; sub-entry 1 deleted and sub-entry 2 combined into control

New or Additional Entries/ Comments Note 5: 1A002.b.1. does not control mechanically chopped, milled, or cut carbon “fibrous or filamentary materials” 25,0 mm or less in length.

National equivalents replaced by “equivalent standards”

1A002 Note 5

Deleted

f.

Other than those specified in 3A001.b.3.a. to 3A001.b.3.e and rated for operation with a peak saturated power output greater than 5 W (37,0 dBm) at all frequencies exceeding 8,5 GHz up to and including 31,8 GHz; Note amended Digital data recorders entry amended to clarify signal processing 5. An ‘RF modulation bandwidth’ of digital baseband signals as specified by any of the following: a.Exceeding 2,2 GHz within the frequency range exceeding 4,8 GHz but not exceeding 31,8 GHz; b.Exceeding 550 MHz within the frequency range exceeding 31,8 GHz but not exceeding 37 GHz; or c. Exceeding 2,2 GHz within the frequency range exceeding 37 GHz but not exceeding 90 GHz; or

3A001.b.3.f.

New Entry 5.The reference standards referred to in this list should be the latest unless otherwise specified.

a.

Category 1

3A001.b. Tech Note 3A001.b.1. &Notes 1 &2, 3A001.b.1.a., b., c., d. & Tech Note, 3A001.b.8,3A001.b.9.

3E003.g.

“Satellite navigation system” replaces Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) MTCR now use same acronym for “CEP” as WA; new Technical Note 2 for ‘CEP’; existing Technical Note numbered 1 and renumbering of existing sub-paras. 1., 2. and 3. to a., b. and c.

Technical Note: 2.In 7A103.c. ‘CEP’ (Circular Error Probable or Circle of Equal Probability) is a measure of accuracy, defined as the radius of the circle inside of which there is a 50 % probability of being located.

Technical Note: In 7A117 ‘CEP’ (Circular Error Probable or Circle of Equal Probability) is a measure of accuracy, defined as the radius of the circle centered at the target, at a specific range, in which 50 % of the payloads impact.

New or Additional Entries/ Comments c. Unmanned submersible vehicles, as follows: 1. Unmanned submersible vehicles having any of the following: a. Designed for deciding a course relative to any geographical reference without real-time human assistance; b. Acoustic data or command link; or c. Optical data or command link exceeding 1 000 m; Entry deleted and combined with revised 8A001c; now not used. d. Underwater vision systems having all of the following: 1. Specially designed or modified for remote operation with an underwater vehicle; and 2. Employing any of the following techniques to minimise the effects of back scatter: a. Range-gated illuminators; or b. Range-gated laser systems; 8B001 Water tunnels designed to have a background noise of less than 100 dB (reference 1 μPa, 1 Hz) within the frequency range exceeding 0 Hz but not exceeding 500 Hz and designed for measuring acoustic fields generated by a hydro-flow around propulsion system models.

8A001.d.

8B001 Category 9

New or Additional Entries/ Comments 9A004 Space launch vehicles, “spacecraft”, “spacecraft buses”, “spacecraft payloads”, “spacecraft” on-board systems or equipment, and terrestrial equipment, and air-launch platforms as follows: g. “Aircraft” specially designed or modified to be air-launch platforms for space launch vehicles. h. “Sub-orbital craft”.

9A004 9A004.g.

9A010.d. &Tech Note

9A011 Tech Note 9A012 N.B.

9A101.a.1., 2. &Tech Notes

9A106.b.

9A107 9A108

Technical Note: For the purposes of 9A010.d., ‘response time’ is the time required to achieve 90 % of total rated thrust from start-up.

Technical Note: For the purposes of 9A011, ‘combined cycle engines’ combine two or more of the following types of engines: — Gas turbine engine (turbojet, turboprop and turbofan); — Ramjet or scramjet; — Rocket motor or engine (liquid/gel/solid-propellant and hybrid).

New Nota Bene to reference control entry 9A004.h.

Entries amended; new Technical Note 2 for clarification of specific fuel consumption; existing Technical Notes 2 and 3 renumbered 3 and 4 Technical Note: 2. Specific fuel consumption is determined at maximum continuous thrust for engine type un-installed at sea level static conditions using the ICAO standard atmosphere.

Entry deleted Text changed to ‘motors’ to align with MTCR. Hybrid rocket propulsion systems added to chapeaux. a. Rocket motor cases and “insulation” components therefor, usable in subsystems specified in 9A007, 9A009, 9A107, or 9A109.a.;

9A108.a.

9A108.b.

9A111 &Tech Note 9B001

b. Rocket nozzles, usable in subsystems specified in 9A007, 9A009,9A107or 9A109.a.; Technical Note: In 9A111 detonation engines utilize detonation to produce a rise in effective pressure across the combustion chamber. Examples of detonation engines include pulse detonation engines, rotating detonation engines or continuous wave detonation engines.

Manufacturing equipment, tooling or fixtures, as follows:

9B117

Chapeaux modified

9C110 9D005 N.B.

Editorial change NB: For “software” for items listed in 9A004.d. that are incorporated into “spacecrafts payloads”, see the appropriate Categories.

Entry deleted Entry rewritten including sub-paras. a. and b., new local definition for ‘fan blade’ including a Technical Note

9E003.a.7.

9E003.a.11. &Tech Note

11. ‘Fan blades’ having all of the following: a.

20 % or more of the total volume being one or more closed cavities containing vacuum or gas only; and b.

One or more closed cavities having a volume of 5 cm 3 or larger; Technical Note: For the purposes of 9E003.a.11., a ‘fan blade’ is the aerofoil portion of the rotating stage or stages, which provide both compressor and bypass flow in a gas turbine engine.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY I NSC-STMCom CHAIRMAN THRU

:

ATTY. MICHAEL P. ONG Senior Deputy Executive Secretary

FROM

:

ATTY. FLORENTINO P. MANALASTAS, JR. Officer-In-Charge/Head Secretariat of NSC-STMCom

SUBECT

:

NSC-STMCOM RESOLUTION NO. 04 (2021)

DATE

:

27 January 2021

1.

Respectfully transmitted herewith is the “Resolution No. 04 (2021): Approval and Publication of the National Strategic Goods List Annex 3 (Nationally Controlled Goods) of Republic Act No. 10697, also known as the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA) of 2015”, which was adopted during the sixth regular meeting of the National Security Council-Strategic Trade Management Committee held on 26 January 2021.

2.

For the information, consideration and signature of the Executive Secretary/ NSCSTMCom Chairman. Thank you.

National Security Council- Strategic Trade Management Committee (NSC- STMCom)

RESOLUTION NO. 04 (2021): Approval and Publication of the National Strategic Goods List Annex 3 (Nationally Controlled Goods) of Republic Act No. 10697, also known as the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA) of 2015.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

C3

SATURDAY,JANUARY 30,Standard 2021 TODAY Adopted and signed by the National Security Council - Strategic Trade Management Committee at its sixth (6th) regular meeting on 26 January 2021.

pilot production schemes, design data, process of transforming design data into a product, configuration design, integration design, layouts.

WHEREAS, Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10697 or the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA) of 2015 states that the National Strategic Goods List (NSGL) shall describe with specificity the strategic goods subject to authorization and shall be in conformity with international commitments and nonproliferation obligations pursuant to bilateral and multilateral treaties, international conventions and international nonproliferation regimes.

“Fibrous or filamentary materials” include:

WHEREAS, the UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 2231 impose measures against individuals and entities upon their violation of international law including international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and other pertinent laws of the international community.

WHEREAS, Section 4 of the STMA provides that the NSGL shall consist of three (3) annexes, Military Goods (Annex 1), Dual Use Goods (Annex 2), and Nationally Controlled Goods (Almex 3).

WHEREAS, Section 5(0), of the STMA defines Annex 3 or the Nationally Controlled Goods as strategic goods placed under unilateral controls for reasons of national security, foreign policy, anti-terrorism, crime control, and public safety.

WHEREAS, Section 6 of the STMA creates the National Security Council Strategic Trade Management Committee (NSC-STMCom) composed of the: (1) Executive Secretary as Chairperson, (2) the Secretary of Trade and Industry as the Vice-Chairperson, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; (4) the Secretary of Justice; (5) the Secretary of National Defense; (6) the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; (7) the Secretary of Finance; (8) the Secretary of Transportation; (9) the National Security Advisor; (10) the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; (11) the Secretary of Science and Technology; (12) the Secretary of Agriculture; (13) the Secretary of Health; and (14) the Secretary of Information and Communications Technology as Members.

WHEREAS, Section 7 of the STMA provides that one of the powers and functions of the NSC-STMCom is to establish, publish, review and update the NSGL. Now, therefore, we the NSC-STMCom Members agree and promulgate: THAT the NSGL Annex 3 (Nationally Controlled Goods), as attached, is hereby adopted.

THAT the Anti-Terrorism Council - Program Management Center, as the NSCSTMCom Secretariat, and the Strategic Trade Management Office shaU publish NSGL A,mex 3 consistent with Section 4 of the 5TMA. THAT the NSGL Annex 3 shaU take effect immediately after its publication.

SO APPROVED BY THE NSC-STMCOM.

SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA Chairman (Executive Secretary, Office of the President) SUMMARY OF GOODS COVERED BY ANNEX III Annex 3.1 - Export, Transit and Transshipment of Goods to DPRK

Annex 3.2 - Import, Transit and Transshipment of Goods from DPRK

Annex 3.3 - Export, Transit and Transshipment of Goods to Iran

Annex 3.4 - Import, Transit and Transshipment of Goods from Iran

- Dual use items - Base metals and articles - Electrical equipment and parts - Sound and image reproducers - Petroleum items - Vehicles - Aircraft - Vessels - Luxury items - Dual-use items - Coal - Earth/stone - Food/agricultural products - Metals/metal ores - Electrical equipment and parts - Sound and image reproducers - Statues - Textiles - Wood - Vehicles - Items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran’s nuclear-related program. These items are also listed under Annex I and II of the National Strategic Goods List.

a. Continuous “monofilaments”; b. Continuous “yarns” and “rovings”; c. “Tapes”, fabrics, random mats and braids; d. Chopped fibers, staple fibers and coherent fiber blankets; e. Whiskers, either monocrystalline or polycrystalline, of any length; f. Aromatic polyamide pulp.

“In the public domain” (GTN NTN GSN), as it applies herein, means “technology” or “software” which has been made available without restrictions upon its further dissemination (copyright restrictions do not remove “technology” or “software” from being “in the public domain”).

“Monofilament” or filament is the smallest increment of fiber, usually several micrometers in diameter.

“Object code” (GSN) means an equipment executable form of a convenient expression of one or more processes (“source code” (source language)) which has been compiled by programming system.

LIST OF NATIONALLY CONTROLLED GOODS

The object of the prohibitions contained in this Annex should not be defeated by the export of any non-prohibited goods (including plant) containing one or more prohibited components when the prohibited component or components are the principal element of the goods and can feasibly be removed or used for other purposes.

Special corrosion resistant steels — limited to steels resistant to Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) or nitric acid, such as nitrogen stabilized duplex stainless steel (N-DSS)

1C936

Alpha-emitting radionuclides

1C950

Toxic chemicals, toxic chemical agent precursors, and chemicals for decontamination of chemical warfare agents, as follows: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r.

“Yarn” is a bundle of twisted ‘strands’.

N.B. ‘Strand’ is a bundle of “monofilaments” (typically over 200) arranged approximately parallel.

“Software” (GSN All) means a collection of one or more “programs” or ‘microprograms’ fixed in any tangible medium of expression.

N.B. ‘Microprogram’ means a sequence of elementary instructions, maintained in a special storage, the execution of which is initiated by the introduction of its reference instruction into an instruction register.

Goods specified in this Annex include both new and used goods.

3.

In some instances, chemicals are listed by name and CAS number. The list applies to chemicals of the same structural formula (including hydrates) regardless of name or CAS number. CAS numbers are shown to assist in identifying a particular chemical or mixture, irrespective of nomenclature. CAS numbers cannot be used as unique identifiers because some forms of the listed chemical have different CAS numbers, and mixtures containing a listed chemical may also have different CAS numbers.

1C997

Metal inert gas welders (greater than 180 A DC)

“Specific tensile strength” is ultimate tensile strength in pascals, equivalent to N/m2 divided by specific weight in N/m3, measured at a temperature of (296 ± 2) K ((23 ± 2) °C) and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5)%.

1C998

Manganese metal Brazing Foils

1C999

Ammonium Nitrate, chemically pure or in phase stabilized version (PSAN)

2A926

Bellows-sealed valves

2A901

Hardened steel and tungsten carbide precision ball bearings (3-mm diameter or greater)

2B901

Machine tools and any combination thereof, as follows:

“Tape” is a material constructed of interlaced or unidirectional “monofilaments”, ‘strands’, “rovings”, “tows”, or”yarns”, etc., usually pre impregnated with resin.

N.B. ‘Strand’ is a bundle of “monofilaments” (typically over 200) arranged approximately parallel.

“Technology” (GTN NTN All) means specific information necessary for the “development”, “production” or “use” of goods. This information takes the form of ‘technical data’ or ‘technical assistance’.

N.B.1. ‘Technical assistance’ may take forms such as instructions, skills, training, working knowledge and consulting services and may involve the transfer of ‘technical data’.

N.B.2. ‘Technical data’ may take forms such as blueprints, plans, diagrams, models, formulae, tables, engineering designs and specifications, manuals and instructions written or recorded on other media or devices such as disk, tape, read only memories.

CATEGORY 2 – MATERIALS PROCESSING

a. b.

“Use” (GTN NTN All) means operation, installation (including on site installation), maintenance (checking), repair, overhaul and refurbishing.

ANNEX 3.1 —EXPORT, TRANSIT, ANDTRANSHIPMENTOF GOODS AND TECHNOLOGYTO DPRK Items, materials, equipment,goods, and technologylisted herein are prohibited items for export to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) set out in the lists of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718(2006) and its subsequent resolutions which could contribute to DPRK’s nuclear, other weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile-related programs.

DUAL-USE ITEMS CATEGORY 0 – NUCLEAR MATERIALS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT 0A901

Hot cells

0B901

Test, Inspection and Production Equipment a. b. c. d. e.

0D901

Isostatic presses

2B905

Electroplating equipment designed for coating parts with nickel or aluminium

2B909

Manufacturing machine and equipment a. b.

1A904

Seismic detection equipment or seismic intrusion-detection systems that detect, classify and determine the bearing of the source of a detected signal

2B919

Centrifugal multiplane balancing machines

2B926

Thermal treatment furnaces having all of the following characteristics: a. b.

1B901

Metal hydrides, such as zirconium hydride

2B950

Chemical manufacturing facilities, equipment and components, as follows: a.

Ring magnets (except those designed for consumer electronics or automobile applications) UF6 Corrosion Resistant Bellow-sealed Valves Particle accelerators Freon and chilled-water cooling systems capable of continuous cooling capacity of 100 000 Btu/hr (29,3 kW) or greater Vacuum valves, piping, flanges, gaskets and related equipment specially designed for use in high-vacuum service (0,1 Pa or lower pressure)

b.

Software for neutronic calculations/modelling Software for radiation transport calculations/modelling Software for hydrodynamic calculations/modelling (except those used strictly for civilian purposes, such as but not limited to communal heating utilities) c.

(To be read in conjunction with section E of Category 0.)

c.

d. e.

Electrolytic cells for fluorine production

1C902

High strength aluminium alloy having both of the following characteristics:

“Technology” for the “development”, “production” or “use” of goods under control remains under control even when applicable to non controlled goods.

(To be read in conjunction with section E of Categories 1 to 9.)

The export of “technology” which is “required” for the “development”, “production” or “use” of goods controlled in Categories 1 to 9, is controlled according to the provisions of Categories 1 to 9.

1C903

The approval of goods for export also authorizes the export to the same end user of the minimum necessary “object code” for the installation, operation, maintenance (checking) or repair of the goods

Ring magnets: permanent magnet materials having both of the following characteristics:

Thickness of 0.05 mm or less; or height of 25 mm or less; Made of any of the following magnetic alloy materials: iron-chromium-cobalt, ironcobalt-vanadium, iron-chromium-cobalt-vanadium or iron-chromium.

Ultra high-temperature ceramic composite materials in solid form (i.e. blocks, cylinders, tubes or ingots) in any of the following form factors: 1. Cylinders having a diameter of 120 mm or greater and a length of 50 mm or greater; 2. Tubes having an inner diameter of 65 mm or greater and a wall thickness of 25 mm or greater and a length of 50 mm or greater; or 3. Blocks having a size of 120 mm x 120 mm x 50 mm or greater.

Graphite designed or specified for use in Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) machines

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibre usable as a precursor for carbon fibre production Para-aramid fiber (Kevlar and other Kevlar-like), filament and tape Carbon, aramid or glass “fibrous or filamentary materials” having both of the following characteristics: 1. A “specific modulus” exceeding 3.18 × 106 m; 2. A “specific tensile strength” exceeding 76.2 × 103 m; Prepregs: thermoset resin impregnated continuous “yarns”, “rovings”, “tows” or “tapes” with a width of 30 mm or less, made from carbon, aramid or glass “fibrous or filamentary materials” controlled in 1C910.c.

Sodium Perchlorate

b.

Aviation fuel (aviation gasoline, naptha-type jet fuel, kerosene-type jet fuel, kerosene-type rocket fuel) Isocyanates 1. Toluene di-isocyanate (TDI)

c. The minimum necessary “object code” for the installation, operation, maintenance (checking) or repair of those items whose export has been authorized.

2.

Methylene bis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI)

3.

Isophoronediiosocyanate (IPDI)

EDITORIAL PRACTICES IN THIS ANNEX

4.

5.

Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HNMDI or HDI) Dimeryl diisocyanate (DDI)

“Development” (GTN NTN All) is related to all phases prior to serial production, such as: design, design research, design analyses, design concepts, assembly and testing of prototypes,

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1C916

b.

Ring-shaped magnet with a relation between outer and inner diameter smaller or equal to 1.6:1; Made of any of the following magnetic materials: aluminium-nickel-cobalt, ferrites, samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron.

3A902

All flash X-ray machines and parts or components of pulsed power systems designed therefrom, including Marx generators, high-power pulse-shaping networks, highvoltage capacitors and triggers

3A925

Frequency changers a. b.

Hydroxyl Terminated Poly-Ether (HTPE) Hydroxyl Terminated Caprolactone Ether (HTCE) Polypropylene glycol (PPG) Polydiethyleneglycol adipate (PGA) Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

a.

b. “In the public domain”; or

“Basic scientific research” (GTN NTN) means experimental or theoretical work undertaken principally to acquire new knowledge of the fundamental principles of phenomena or observable facts, not primarily directed towards a specific practical aim or objective.

a.

Frequency changers capable of operating in the frequency range of 300-600 Hz Frequency changers (also known as converters or inverters) having all of the following characteristics, and specially designed software therefor: 1. Multiphase frequency output; 2. Capable of providing power of 40 W or greater;and 3. Capable of operating anywhere (at any one point or more) within the frequency range between 600 Hz and 2,000 Hz.

Technical notes: 1. Frequency changers are also known as converters or inverters.

2. The functionality specified above may be met by certain equipment described or marketed as electronic test equipment, AC power supplies, variable speed motor drives or variable frequency drives.

3A933

Analytical instruments a. b.

3B902

Mass spectrometers Chromatography and other spectrometry

Electronic equipment of synthesized frequencies within the range of 31.8 GHz or greater and power output of 100 mW or greater for time-delay generation or timeinterval measurement, as follows: a.

Metals, compounds, propellants and constituent chemicals for propellants

c.

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THIS ANNEX

CATEGORY 3 – ELECTRONICS

Fibrous or filamentary materials and prepegs, as follows:

d.

— a comma is used to separate the whole number from decimals, — whole numbers are presented in series of three, each series being separated by a thin space. The text reproduced in this annex follows the above described practice.

Note: Isocyanates specified in entry 1C911.c.

Polymeric substances

Categories 1 to 9 of this list do not control “software” which is any of the following:

2. Designed for installation by the user without further substantial support by the supplier;

f.

3A901

a. b. c.

1C911

d.

Non-destructive test chambers with a 1m or more critical internal dimension.

(This note overrides any control within section D of Categories 1 to 9.)

a. Over the counter transactions; b. Mail order transactions; c. Electronic transactions; or d. Telephone call transactions; and

c.

2B999

a. b. c. d. e.

a. Generally available to the public by being: 1. Sold from stock at retail selling points, without restriction, by means of:

b.

Floor-mounted fume hoods (walk-in style) with a minimum nominal width of 2.5 meters Batch centrifuges with a rotor capacity of 4 L or greater, usable with biological materials Fermenters with an internal volume of 10-20 L (.01-.02 cubic meters), usable with biological materials Full face-mask air-purifying and air-supplying respirators except those used in breathing apparatus for firefighters Conventional or turbulent airflow clean-air rooms and self-contained fan-HEPA filter units that could be used for P3 or P4 (BSL 3, BSL 4, L3, L4) containment facilities.

Isocyanates production equipment

b.

GENERAL SOFTWARE NOTE (GSN)

a.

Friction stirs welding machines

Controls do not apply to that “technology” which is the minimum necessary for the installation, operation, maintenance (checking) or repair of those goods which are not controlled or whose export has been authorized.

1C910

Biological manufacturing, handling, protective and containment equipment, as follows:

2B998

a.

Section D of Category 0 of this list does not control “software” which is the minimum necessary “object code” for the installation, operation, maintenance (checking) or repair of those items whose export has been authorized.

2B952

2B997

Graphite, ceramic, ceramic-matrix composite materials, and precursor materials

(This note overrides any control within section D of Category 0)

Nickel or alloys with more than 40% nickel by weight; Alloys with more than 25% nickel and 20% chromium by weight; Fluoropolymers (polymeric or elastomeric materials with more than 35% fluorine by weight); 4. Glass or glass-lined (including vitrified or enamelled coating); 5. Graphite or carbon-graphite; 6. Tantalum or tantalum alloys; 7. Titanium or titanium alloys; 8. Zirconium or zirconium alloys; 9. Ceramics; 10. Ferrosilicon (high silicon iron alloys); or 11. Niobium (columbium) or niobium alloys.

Magnetic alloy materials in sheet or thin strip form having both of the following characteristics:

1C907

1C908

1.

2.

3.

Plasma cutting equipment Laser welding equipment

Perfluorinated Lubricants

NUCLEAR SOFTWARE NOTE (NSN)

Single-seal pumps with manufacturer’s specified maximum flow rate greater than 0.6 m3/h and casings (pump bodies), preformed casing liners, impellers, rotors or jet pump nozzles designed for such pumps, in which all surfaces that come into direct contact with the chemical(s) being processed are made from any of the following materials:

2B995 2B996

1C906

Note: This does not release such “technology” specified in 1E002.e., 1E002.f., 8E002.a. and 8E002.b.

Monel equipment, including valves, piping, tanks and vessels (pipes and valves greater than 8-in diameter and rated for 500 psi and tanks greater than 500 L) Vacuum pumps with a manufacturer’s specified maximum flow-rate greater than 1 m3/h (under standard temperature and pressure conditions), casings (pump bodies), preformed casing-liners, impellers, rotors, and jet pump nozzles designed for such pumps, in which all surfaces that come into direct contact with the chemicals being processed are made from any of the following materials: 1. Nickel or alloys with more than 40% nickel by weight; 2. Alloys with more than 25% nickel and 20% chromium by weight; 3. Fluoropolymers; 4. Glass or glass-lined (including vitrified or enamelled coating); 5. Graphite; 6. Tantalum or tantalum alloys; 7. Titanium or titanium alloys; 8. Zirconium or zirconium alloys; 9. Ceramics; or 10. Ferrosilicon.

a. ‘Capable of’ an ultimate tensile of strength of 415 MPa or more at 293 K (20ºC); b. In bar or tube form, with an outer diameter of 75 mm or greater.

Technical Note: The phrase “capable of” encompasses aluminium alloy before or after heat treatment.

a. b.

“Technology” “required” for the “development”, “production” or “use” of goods under control remains under control even when applicable to non controlled goods.

Controls on “technology” transfers do not apply to information “in the public domain”, to “basic scientific research” or to the minimum necessary information for patent applications.

Equipment for carbon fibre production Filament winding machines or fibre/tow-placement machinesand related equipment, of which the motions for positioning, wrapping and winding fibres can be coordinated and programmed in two or more axes and which are designed to fabricate composite structures or laminates from fibrous or filamentary materials, coordinating and programming controls and precision mandrels for such equipment Filament winding machines having all of the following characteristics: 1. Having motions for positioning, wrapping and winding fibres coordinated and programmed in two or more axes; 2. Specially designed to fabricate composite structures or laminates from “fibrous or filamentary materials”;and 3. Capable of winding cylindrical tubes of diameter of 75 mm or greater.

Coordinating and programming controls for filament winding machines specified in 1B901.c.

Mandrels for filament winding machines specified in 1B901.c.

1B925

The “technology” directly associated with any goods controlled in Category 0 is controlled according to the provisions of Category 0.

The approval of goods for export also authorizes the export to the same end user of the minimum “technology” required for the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of the goods.

Controls on “technology” transfer do not apply to information “in the public domain” or to “basic scientific research”.

GENERAL TECHNOLOGY NOTE (GTN)

Glove boxes suitable for use with radioactive materials Radiation detection, monitoring and measurement equipment Radiographic detection equipment such as X-ray converters, and storage phosphor image plates (except X-ray equipment specially designed for medical use)

Production equipment and machines a. b.

Capable of operating above 850°C; and Dimension of greater than 1m

1B931

Protective and detection equipment and components a. b. c.

Hydroforming machines Bellows manufacturing equipment, including hydraulic forming equipment and bellows forming dies

2B916

“Software” specially designed or modified for the “development”, “production” or “use” of goods specified in this Category. a. b. c.

Electrical Discharge Machines (EDMs) 4- and 5- axis CNC machine tools

2B904

“Tow” is a bundle of “monofilaments”, usually approximately parallel.

All export, transit, transshipment, and importof items in this listthat falls under exemption provisionsshall require an authorization from the Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) prior to its actual export, transit, transshipment, and import.

NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY NOTE (NTN)

Diethylenetriamine (111-40-0) Butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) Pyridostigmine bromide (101-26-8) Obidoxime chloride (114-90-9) Aluminium chloride (7446-70-0) Dichloromethane (75-09-2) N,N Dimethylaniline (121-69-7) Isopropyl bromide(75-26-3) Isopropyl ether(108-20-3) Monoisopropylamine(75-31-0) Potassium bromide(7758-02-3) Pyridine(110-86-1) Sodium bromide(7647-15-6) Sodium metal(7440-23-5) Sulfur trioxide(7446-11-9) Tributylamine (102-82-9) Triethylamine(121-44-8) Trimethylamine(75-50-3)

“Specific modulus” is Young’s modulus in pascals, equivalent to N/m2 divided by specific weight in N/m3, measured at a temperature of (296 ± 2) K ((23 ± 2) °C) and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5)%.

N.B.: in judging whether the prohibited component or components are to be considered principal element, it is necessary to weigh the factors of quantity, value, and technological know-how involved and other special circumstances which might establish the prohibited component or components as the principal element of the goods being procured.

2.

Sheet, plate or tubing with a wall or plate thickness equal to or less than 5.0 mm; Tubular forms with a wall thickness of 50 mm or less and having an inner diameter of 270 mm or more.

1C918

N.B. ‘Strand’ is a bundle of “monofilaments” (typically over 200) arranged approximately parallel.

GENERAL NOTES TO ANNEX III

4.

2.

CATEGORY 1- SPECIAL MATERIALS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT Export, Transit and Transshipment of Goods to DPRK Import, Transit and Transshipment of Goods from DPRK Export, Transit and Transshipment of Goods to Iran Import, Transit and Transshipment of Goods from Iran

Grade 304, 316 and austenitic stainless steel plates, valves, piping, tanks and vessels (pipes and valves greater than 8-in diameter and rated for 500 psi and tanks greater than 500 L) Maraging steel having both of the following characteristics: 1. Capable ofan ultimate tensile strength of 1,500 MPa or more at 293 K (20ºC); 2. In bar or tube form, with an outer diameter of 75 mm or greater.

Maraging steel capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 1,950 MPa or more at 293 K (20°C) and in any of the following forms: 1.

“Roving” is a bundle (typically 12-120) of approximately parallel ‘strands’.

CONTENTS

1.

c.

“Program” means a sequence of instructions to carry out a process in, or convertible into, a form executable by an electronic computer.

This list of goods is placed under unilateral controls for reasons of national security, foreign policy, anti-terrorism, crime control, and public safety. This implements sanctioned items for export, import, transit and transshipment to and from specific countries identified by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) set out in the lists of UNSC documents.

Notes Definitions Annex 3.1 Annex 3.2 Annex 3.3 Annex 3.4

b.

“Production” (GTN NTN All) means all production phases, such as: construction, production engineering, manufacture, integration, assembly (mounting), inspection, testing, and quality assurance.

Transshipment of Goods from Iran and technology which could contribute to Iran’s nuclear-related program. These items are also listed under Annex I and II of the National Strategic Goods List.

NATIONAL STRATEGIC GOODS LIST ANNEX 3

a.

b.

Digital time delay generators with a resolution of 50 nanoseconds or less over time intervals of 1 microsecond or greater; or Multichannel (i.e., with 3 or more channels) or modular time interval meters and chronometry equipment with resolution of 50 nanoseconds or less over time intervals of 1 microsecond or greater

CATEGORY 5 – TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND “INFORMATION SECURITY” 5A999

Countermeasure Subsystems and Penetration Aids (e.g. jammers, chaff, decoys) designed to saturate, confuse, or evade missile defenses.

6A903

Cameras, systems or equipment, and components therefor, as follows:

CATEGORY 6 – SENSORS AND LASERS a. b.

High-speed imaging cameras except those used in medical imaging systems Radiation-hardened television cameras

d.

Nitric acid in concentrations of 20 per cent of weight or greater

e.

Fluorine (except that used for strictly civilian purposes, such as refrigerants, including freon and fluoride for toothpaste production)

7A901

f.

Metal hydrides such as zirconium hydride, beryllium hydride, aluminium hydride, lithium aluminiumhydride and titanium hydride

Inertial equipment for any application, particularly for civilian aircraft, satellite, geophysical survey applications and their associated test equipment

g.

Plasticizers usable in composite propellants, such as dioctyl adipate (DOA), dioctyl sebacate (DOS) and dioctyl azelate (DOZ)

7A916

Pyrotechnically Actuated Valves.

9A906

Turbo-pumps for liquid or hybrid rocket engines

Steels, as follows:

CATEGORY 7 – NAVIGATION AND AVIONICS

CATEGORY 9 – AEROSPACE AND PROPULSION

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Standard C4 SATURDAY,JANUARY 30, 2021 Manila

TODAY

9A917

Explosive bolts, nuts and shackles, flexible linear-shaped charges, ball locks, compression springs, circular cutting devices and acceleration rockets usable for staging mechanisms

9A915

Truck chassis with 6 or more axles

9B001

Rapid prototyping, including additive manufacturing equipment

9B905

Measurement and control equipment usable for wind tunnels (balance, thermal stream measurement, flow control)

9B906

All environmental test chambers capable of simulating flight conditions (temperature, pressure, shock and vibration) except those used for civilian aircraft safety purposes

9D105

Modeling and design software related to the modeling of aerodynamic and thermodynamic analysis of rocket or unmanned aerial vehicle systems

OTHER ITEMS

Perfluorinated Lubricants

1C907

Graphite, ceramic, ceramic-matrix composite materials, and precursor materials a.

b.

1C908

BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL

M9000

HS Code 72 – Iron and Steel

M9001

HS Code 73– Articles of Iron or Steel

M9002

HS Code 74 – Copper and Articles Thereof

M9003

HS Code 75 – Nickel and Articles Thereof

M9004

HS Code 76 – Aluminum and Articles Thereof

M9005

HS Code 78 – Lead and Articles Thereof

M9006

HS Code 79 – Zinc and Articles Thereof

M9007

HS Code 80 – Tin and Articles Thereof

M9008

HS Code 81 – Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof

M9009

HS Code 82 – Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal

M9010

1C906

HS Code 83 – Miscellaneous articles of base metal

d.

I9000

HS Code 84 – Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

I9001

HS Code 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers and parts and accessories of such articles

c.

Note: I9000 and I9001 does not prohibit the export of spare parts needed to maintain the safe operation of DPRK commercial civilian passenger aircraft (currently consisting of the following aircraft models and types: An-24R/RV, An-148-100B, Il-18D, Il-62M, Tu134B-3, Tu-154B, Tu-204-100B, and Tu-204-300)

d. e. f.

PETROLEUM ITEMS P9000

Refined petroleum productsincluding diesel Note:Prohibition on the export of refined petroleum products does not apply under the following conditions: 1. Amount of up to 500,000 barrels during a period of 12 months; 2. Transfer of refined petroleum products involve no individuals or entities that are associated with the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes or other activities prohibited by the relevant resolutions, including designated individuals or entities, or individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or entities owned or controlled by them, directly or indirectly, or individuals or entities assisting in the evasion of sanctions; and 3. Transfer of refined petroleum products are exclusively for livelihood purposes of DPRK nationals and unrelated to generating revenue for the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes or other activities prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

P9001

Kerosene

P9002

Crude oil Note:Prohibition on the export of refined petroleum products does not apply under the following conditions: 1.

2.

If the export if exclusively for livelihood purposes of DPRK nationals and unrelated to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by UNSC 1718 resolution and its subsequent resolutions; and Total export does not exceed 4 million barrels or 525,000 tons in the aggregate per twelve month period.

P9003

Natural gas liquids

P9004

Condensates

g.

1C916

V9000

HS Code 86 – Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electromechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds

V9001

HS Code 87 – Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof

V9002

HS Code 88 – Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof

V9003

HS Code 89 – Ships, boats and floating structures

b.

c.

X9000

Jewelry a. b. c. d. f

X9001

Transportation items, as follows: a. b. c. d. e.

X9002

Jewelry with pearls Gems Precious and semi-precious stones (including diamonds, sapphire, rubies, and emeralds) Precious and semi-precious stones (including diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds) .Jewelry of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal Yachts Luxury automobiles (and motor vehicles): automobiles and other motor vehicles to transport people (other than public transport), including station wagons Racing cars Aquatic recreational vehicles such as personal watercraft Snowmobiles valued greater than $2,000

Luxury Watch a. b. c.

Wristwatch with a case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal Pocket watch with a case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal Other luxury watch with a case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal

X9003

Items of lead crystal

X9004

Recreational sports equipment

X9005

Rugs and tapestries (valued greater than $500)

X9006

Tableware of porcelain or bone china (valued greater than $100)

ANNEX 3.2 —IMPORT, TRANSIT, ANDTRANSHIPMENTOF GOODS AND TECHNOLOGY FROM DPRK Items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology listed herein are prohibited items for import from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) set out in the lists of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718(2006) and its subsequent resolutions which could contribute to DPRK’s nuclear-related, other weapons of mass destruction-related or ballistic missile-related programs.

Alpha-emitting radionuclides

1C950

Toxic chemicals, toxic chemical agent precursors, and chemicals for decontamination of chemical warfare agents, as follows: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s.

1C997

0B901

Test, Inspection and Production Equipment a. b. c. d. e.

0D901

1B901

c.

d. e.

Electrolytic cells for fluorine production High strength aluminium alloy having both of the following characteristics: a. ‘Capable of’ an ultimate tensile of strength of 415 MPa or more at 293 K (20ºC); b. In bar or tube form, with an outer diameter of 75 mm or greater.

Technical Note: The phrase “capable of” encompasses aluminium alloy before or after heat treatment.

1C903

Magnetic alloy materials in sheet or thin strip form having both of the following characteristics: a. b.

Thickness of 0.05 mm or less; or height of 25 mm or less; Made of any of the following magnetic alloy materials: iron-chromium-cobalt, ironcobalt-vanadium, iron-chromium-cobalt-vanadium or iron-chromium.

2.

Capable of providing power of 40 W or greater;and

3.

Capable of operating anywhere (at any one point or more) within the frequency range between 600 Hz and 2,000 Hz. Technical notes:

3A933

3B902

1.

Frequency changers are also known as converters or inverters.

2.

The functionality specified above may be met by certain equipment described or marketed as electronic test equipment, AC power supplies, variable speed motor drives or variable frequency drives.

Analytical instruments a.

Mass spectrometers

b.

Chromatography and other spectrometry

Electronic equipment of synthesized frequencies within the range of 31.8 GHz or greater and power output of 100 mW or greater for time-delay generation or timeinterval measurement, as follows: a.

Digital time delay generators with a resolution of 50 nanoseconds or less over time intervals of 1 microsecond or greater; or

b.

Multichannel (i.e., with 3 or more channels) or modular time interval meters and chronometry equipment with resolution of 50 nanoseconds or less over time intervals of 1 microsecond or greater

CATEGORY 5 – TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND “INFORMATION SECURITY” 5A999

Countermeasure Subsystems and Penetration Aids (e.g. jammers, chaff, decoys) designed to saturate, confuse, or evade missile defenses.

CATEGORY 6 – SENSORS AND LASERS Cameras, systems or equipment, and components therefor, as follows: a.

High-speed imaging cameras except those used in medical imaging systems

b.

Radiation-hardened television cameras CATEGORY 7 – NAVIGATION AND AVIONICS

7A901

Inertial equipment for any application, particularly for civilian aircraft, satellite, geophysical survey applications and their associated test equipment

7A916

Pyrotechnically Actuated Valves.

CATEGORY 9 – AEROSPACE AND PROPULSION

9A906

Turbo-pumps for liquid or hybrid rocket engines

9A917

Explosive bolts, nuts and shackles, flexible linear-shaped charges, ball locks, compression springs, circular cutting devices and acceleration rockets usable for staging mechanisms

9A915

Truck chassis with 6 or more axles

9B001

Rapid prototyping, including additive manufacturing equipment

9B905 9B906

Measurement and control equipment usable for wind tunnels (balance, thermal stream measurement, flow control) All environmental test chambers capable of simulating flight conditions (temperature, pressure, shock and vibration) except those used for civilian aircraft safety purposes

9D105

Modeling and design software related to the modeling of aerodynamic and thermodynamic analysis of rocket or unmanned aerial vehicle systems

OTHER ITEMS C9000

COAL

Coal Note: Import of coal from DPRK is not prohibited provided that the total exports to all Member States of coal originating from the DPRK shall not exceed the aggregate of 400,870,018 US dollars or 7,500,000 metric tons and authorization is acquired from the STMO. EARTH AND STONE INCLUDING MAGNESITE AND MAGNESIA

E9000

HS Code 25 – Salt, sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

F9000

HS Code 07 – Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers HS Code 08 – Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

F9002

HS Code 12 – Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder

F9003

Seafood (including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates in all forms)

CATEGORY 2 – MATERIALS PROCESSING 2A926

Bellows-sealed valves

2A901

Hardened steel and tungsten carbide precision ball bearings (3-mm diameter or greater)

2B901

Machine tools and any combination thereof, as follows: a. b.

Electrical Discharge Machines (EDMs) 4- and 5- axis CNC machine tools

2B904

Isostatic presses

2B905

Electroplating equipment designed for coating parts with nickel or aluminium

2B909

Manufacturing machine and equipment a. b.

Hydroforming machines Bellows manufacturing equipment, including hydraulic forming equipment and bellows forming dies

2B916

Seismic detection equipment or seismic intrusion-detection systems that detect, classify and determine the bearing of the source of a detected signal

2B919

Centrifugal multiplane balancing machines

2B926

Thermal treatment furnaces having all of the following characteristics: a. Capable of operating above 850°C; and b. Dimension of greater than 1m

1B931 2B950

Metal hydrides, such as zirconium hydride Chemical manufacturing facilities, equipment and components, as follows: a. b.

c.

Glove boxes suitable for use with radioactive materials Radiation detection, monitoring and measurement equipment Radiographic detection equipment such as X-ray converters, and storage phosphor image plates (except X-ray equipment specially designed for medical use)

1C902

Multiphase frequency output;

Ammonium Nitrate, chemically pure or in phase stabilized version (PSAN)

Software for neutronic calculations/modelling Software for radiation transport calculations/modelling Software for hydrodynamic calculations/modelling (except those used strictly for civilian purposes, such as but not limited to communal heating utilities)

1B925

1.

1C999

Ring magnets (except those designed for consumer electronics or automobile applications) UF6 Corrosion Resistant Bellow-sealed Valves Particle accelerators Freon and chilled-water cooling systems capable of continuous cooling capacity of 100 000 Btu/hr (29,3 kW) or greater Vacuum valves, piping, flanges, gaskets and related equipment specially designed for use in high-vacuum service (0,1 Pa or lower pressure)

Equipment for carbon fibre production Filament winding machines or fibre/tow-placement machinesand related equipment, of which the motions for positioning, wrapping and winding fibres can be coordinated and programmed in two or more axes and which are designed to fabricate composite structures or laminates from fibrous or filamentary materials, coordinating and programming controls and precision mandrels for such equipment Filament winding machines having all of the following characteristics: 1. Having motions for positioning, wrapping and winding fibres coordinated and programmed in two or more axes; 2. Specially designed to fabricate composite structures or laminates from “fibrous or filamentary materials”;and 3. Capable of winding cylindrical tubes of diameter of 75 mm or greater.

Coordinating and programming controls for filament winding machines specified in 1B901.c.

Mandrels for filament winding machines specified in 1B901.c.

Frequency changers (also known as converters or inverters) having all of the following characteristics, and specially designed software therefor:

Manganese metal Brazing Foils

Production equipment and machines a. b.

Frequency changers capable of operating in the frequency range of 300-600 Hz

b.

1C998

Protective and detection equipment and components a. b. c.

a.

F9001

CATEGORY 1- SPECIAL MATERIALS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT 1A904

Diethylenetriamine (111-40-0) Butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) Pyridostigmine bromide (101-26-8) Obidoxime chloride (114-90-9) Aluminium chloride (7446-70-0) Dichloromethane (75-09-2) N,N Dimethylaniline (121-69-7) Isopropyl bromide(75-26-3) Isopropyl ether(108-20-3) Monoisopropylamine(75-31-0) Potassium bromide(7758-02-3) Pyridine(110-86-1) Sodium bromide(7647-15-6) Sodium metal(7440-23-5) Sulfur trioxide(7446-11-9) Tributylamine (102-82-9) Triethylamine(121-44-8) Trimethylamine(75-50-3)

Metal inert gas welders (greater than 180 A DC)

“Software” specially designed or modified for the “development”, “production” or “use” of goods specified in this Category. a. b. c.

Frequency changers

6A903

Grade 304, 316 and austenitic stainless steel plates, valves, piping, tanks and vessels (pipes and valves greater than 8-in diameter and rated for 500 psi and tanks greater than 500 L) Maraging steel having both of the following characteristics: 1. Capable ofan ultimate tensile strength of 1,500 MPa or more at 293 K (20ºC); 2. In bar or tube form, with an outer diameter of 75 mm or greater.

Maraging steel capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 1,950 MPa or more at 293 K (20°C) and in any of the following forms: 1. Sheet, plate or tubing with a wall or plate thickness equal to or less than 5.0 mm; 2. Tubular forms with a wall thickness of 50 mm or less and having an inner diameter of 270 mm or more.

1C936

CATEGORY 0 – NUCLEAR MATERIALS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT Hot cells

Sodium Perchlorate Aviation fuel (aviation gasoline, naptha-type jet fuel, kerosene-type jet fuel, kerosene-type rocket fuel) Isocyanates 1. Toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) 2. Methylene bis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) 3. Isophoronediiosocyanate (IPDI) 4. Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HNMDI or HDI) 5. Dimeryl diisocyanate (DDI) Nitric acid in concentrations of 20 per cent of weight or greater Fluorine (except that used for strictly civilian purposes, such as refrigerants, including freon and fluoride for toothpaste production) Metal hydrides such as zirconium hydride, beryllium hydride, aluminium hydride, lithium aluminium hydride and titanium hydride Plasticizers usable in composite propellants, such as dioctyl adipate (DOA), dioctyl sebacate(DOS) and dioctyl azelate (DOZ)

Special corrosion resistant steels — limited to steels resistant to Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) or nitric acid, such as nitrogen stabilized duplex stainless steel (N-DSS)

DUAL-USE ITEMS 0A901

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibre usable as a precursor for carbon fibre production Para-aramid fiber (Kevlar and other Kevlar-like), filament and tape Carbon, aramid or glass “fibrous or filamentary materials” having both of the following characteristics: 1. A “specific modulus” exceeding 3.18 × 106 m; 2. A “specific tensile strength” exceeding 76.2 × 103 m; Prepregs: thermoset resin impregnated continuous “yarns”, “rovings”, “tows” or “tapes” with a width of 30 mm or less, made from carbon, aramid or glass “fibrous or filamentary materials” controlled in 1C910.c.

1C918

LUXURY ITEMS

3A925

Hydroxyl Terminated Poly-Ether (HTPE) Hydroxyl Terminated Caprolactone Ether (HTCE) Polypropylene glycol (PPG) Polydiethyleneglycol adipate (PGA) Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

Steels, as follows: a.

VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT

Made of any of the following magnetic materials: aluminium-nickel-cobalt, ferrites, samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron.

All flash X-ray machines and parts or components of pulsed power systems designed therefrom, including Marx generators, high-power pulse-shaping networks, high-voltage capacitors and triggers

Metals, compounds, propellants and constituent chemicals for propellants a. b.

MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL APPLIANCES; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; PARTS THEREOF; SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, TELEVISION IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH ARTICLES

b.

Fibrous or filamentary materials and prepegs, as follows: a. b. c.

1C911

Ring-shaped magnet with a relation between outer and inner diameter smaller or equal to 1.6:1;

3A902

Polymeric substances a. b. c. d. e.

1C910

Ultra high-temperature ceramic composite materials in solid form (i.e. blocks, cylinders, tubes or ingots) in any of the following form factors: 1. Cylinders having a diameter of 120 mm or greater and a length of 50 mm or greater; 2. Tubes having an inner diameter of 65 mm or greater and a wall thickness of 25 mm or greater and a length of 50 mm or greater; or 3. Blocks having a size of 120 mm x 120 mm x 50 mm or greater.

Graphite designed or specified for use in Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) machines

a.

2B952

Monel equipment, including valves, piping, tanks and vessels (pipes and valves greater than 8-in diameter and rated for 500 psi and tanks greater than 500 L) Vacuum pumps with a manufacturer’s specified maximum flow-rate greater than 1 m3/h (under standard temperature and pressure conditions), casings (pump bodies), preformed casing-liners, impellers, rotors, and jet pump nozzles designed for such pumps, in which all surfaces that come into direct contact with the chemicals being processed are made from any of the following materials: 1. Nickel or alloys with more than 40% nickel by weight; 2. Alloys with more than 25% nickel and 20% chromium by weight; 3. Fluoropolymers; 4. Glass or glass-lined (including vitrified or enamelled coating); 5. Graphite; 6. Tantalum or tantalum alloys; 7. Titanium or titanium alloys; 8. Zirconium or zirconium alloys; 9. Ceramics; or 10 Ferrosilicon.

Single-seal pumps with manufacturer’s specified maximum flow rate greater than 0.6 m3/h and casings (pump bodies), preformed casing liners, impellers, rotors or jet pump nozzles designed for such pumps, in which all surfaces that come into direct contact with the chemical(s) being processed are made from any of the following materials: 1. Nickel or alloys with more than 40% nickel by weight; 2. Alloys with more than 25% nickel and 20% chromium by weight; 3. Fluoropolymers (polymeric or elastomeric materials with more than 35% fluorine by weight); 4. Glass or glass-lined (including vitrified or enamelled coating); 5. Graphite or carbon-graphite; 6. Tantalum or tantalum alloys; 7. Titanium or titanium alloys; 8. Zirconium or zirconium alloys; 9. Ceramics; 10. Ferrosilicon (high silicon iron alloys); or 11. Niobium (columbium) or niobium alloys.

Biological manufacturing, handling, protective and containment equipment, as follows: a. b. c. d. e,

Floor-mounted fume hoods (walk-in style) with a minimum nominal width of 2.5 meters Batch centrifuges with a rotor capacity of 4 L or greater, usable with biological materials Fermenters with an internal volume of 10-20 L (.01-.02 cubic meters), usable with biological materials Full face-mask air-purifying and air-supplying respirators except those used in breathing apparatus for firefighters Conventional or turbulent airflow clean-air rooms and self-contained fan-HEPA filter units that could be used for P3 or P4 (BSL 3, BSL 4, L3, L4) containment facilities.

2B995

Plasma cutting equipment

2B996

Laser welding equipment

2B997

Friction stirs welding machines

2B998

Isocyanates production equipment Note: Isocyanates specified in entry 1C911.c.

2B999

Non-destructive test chambers with a 1m or more critical internal dimension.

CATEGORY 3 – ELECTRONICS

3A901 Ring magnets: permanent magnet materials having both of the following characteristics:

MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL APPLIANCES; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; PARTS THEREOF; SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, TELEVISION IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH ARTICLES I9000

HS Code 84 – Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

I9001

HS Code 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers and parts and accessories of such articles METALS AND METAL ORES

M9012

Ironexcept transactions intended exclusively for livelihood purposes Note: Iron for export covered under the exception shall require and authorization from the STMO.

M9013

Iron ore except transactions intended exclusively for livelihood purposes Note: Iron ore for export covered under the exception shall require and authorization from the STMO.

M9014 M9015

Gold Titanium Ore

M9016

Vanadium Ore

M9017

Rare earth minerals

M9018

Copper

M9019

Nickel

M9020

Zinc

M9021

Silver

M9022

Lead

M9023

Lead ore

S9001

Statues

T9000

Textiles (including but not limited to fabrics and partially or fully completed apparel products) TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

STATUES TEXTILES

V9003

HS Code 89 – Ships, boats, and floating structures WOOD

W9000

HS Code 44 – Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

ANNEX 3.3 – EXPORT, TRANSIT, AND TRANSSHIPMENT OF GOODS AND TECHNOLOGY TO IRAN Items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology listed herein are items prohibited for export to Iran set out in the lists of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231 (2015) and its subsequent resolutions which could contribute to Iran’s nuclear-related program.

These items,materials, equipment, goods, and technology are enumerated under the UNSCrelated documents INFCIRC/254/Rev.13/Part1, INFCIRC/254/ Rev.10/Part 2, and S/2015/546.

It includes arms and related material that could contribute to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. These items are also listed in Annex 1 and 2 of the National Strategic Goods List (NSGL).

EXCEPTION The following criteria provide the exception prohibition for the export, transit, and transshipment of goods to Iran listed in the abovementioned UNSC-related documents. The export, transit, and transshipment shall require an authorization from the Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) prior to its actual export, transit, or transshipment.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Any item which could contribute to reprocessing or enrichment-related or heavy water-related activities inconsistent with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which has been approved in advance by the UNSC; Equipment covered by B.1 of INFCIRC/254/Rev.12/Part 1 when such equipment is for light water reactors; Low-enriched uranium covered by A.1.2 of INFCIRC/254/Rev.12/Part 1 when it is incorporated in assembled nuclear fuel elements for such reactors; Items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology that are directly related to the necessary modification of two cascades at the Fordow facility for stable isotope production, the export of Iran’s enriched uranium in excess of 300 kilograms in return for natural uranium, and the modernization of the Arak reactor based on the agreed conceptual design and, subsequently, on the agreed final design of such reactor;or Items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology covered by INFCIRC/254/ Rev.12/ Part 1 and INFCIRC/254/Rev.9/Part 2, which have been approved in advance by the UNSC.

ANNEX 3.4 – IMPORT, TRANSIT, AND TRANSSHIPMENT OF GOODS AND TECHNOLOGY FROM IRAN The import, transit, and transshipment of arms and related materials from Iran are prohibited pursuant to United Nations Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231 (2015) and its subsequent resolutions. These items are also listed in Annex 1 of the National Strategic Goods List (NSGL).

(MS-JAN. 30, 2021)

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