Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17) CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. poze

Introduced by Representative Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed bill aims to address the unfortunate phenomenon of orphaned
or abandoned mines brought about by inadequate legislation prior to the passage of
the Mining Act of 1995, Abandoned mines pose environmental, health, safety and
socio-economic problems for communities, the mining industry, and government,
both local and national.

Over the last three decades, some twenty-two (22) large-scale mines have shut

down prematurely for varying reasons. These include the following:
1. Acoje Mining Company, Inc. (AMCI) in Sta Cruz, Zambales (Chromite);

. Barlo Mining Corporation (BMC) in Mabini, Pangasinan (Copper);

. BatongBuhay Gold Mines Inc. in Pasil, Kalinga (Gold);

. Antamok Mines (BC_BAGO) in Itogon, Benguet (Gold);

. Benguet Consolidated Mining Corp. (BCMC) in Itogon, Benguet (Gold);

. Benguet Corporation-Dizon Copper/Gold Mines (BCD) in San Marcelino,

Zambales (Copper);

7. Masinloc Chromites Mined-Benguet Corporation (MCM-BC) in Masinloc,
Zambales (Refractory Chromite);

8. Benguet Exploration Mine (BEM) in Tuba, Benguet (Gold);

9. Black Mountain Inc. (BMI) in Tuba, Benguet (Gold);

10. Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC) formerly Banahaw Mining and
Development Corp. in Rosario and Bunawan, Agusan del Sur (Gold);

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11, CDCP-Basay Mine (CDCP-Basay) in Basay, Negros (Copper);

12, Ino and Capayang Mines (ICM) in Mogpog, Marinduque (Copper);

13. Heritage Mining Corp. (Alamag Processing Group) on Llorente, Eastern
Samar (Chemical Chromite);

14, Hixbar Gold Mining (HIXBAR) in Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay (Gold);

15. Romblon Marble Mining (RMM) in Romblon (Marble);

16, Palawan Quicksilver Mines (PQM) in Palawan (Mercury);

17. Philippine Iron Mines (PIM) in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte (Iron);

18. Philippine Pyrite Corporation (PPC) in Bagacay, Samar (Pyrite);

19. Silica Sand Mine (SSM) in Palawan (Silica);

20. Surigao Consolidated Mining Co., Inc. (SURICON) in Siana and mapawa,
Surigao del Norte (Gold);

21. United Paragon Mining Corporation (UPMC) in Paracale, Camarines Norte
(Gold); and,

22. Vulcan Mining Corporation (VMC) in Cordon, Isabela (Gold).

Due to the unplanned nature of their closure, these Mines were effectively
abandoned by their operators and left unrehabilitated, Unfortunately, government
regulators at the time lacked the law to enforce remediation measures. These
regulations came only in 1996, when guidelines on mine rehabilitation and
decommissioning were incorporated in the implementing rules and regulations of
the Mining Act of 1995. Today, modern large-scale mines operate in accordance with
“best practices” techniques, and government regulation has greatly improved in
monitoring both exploration and mining activities, as well as regulating the final
stages of decommissioning and mine closure.

Left unrehabilitated, abandoned mine sites may degrade to form hazards to
human and animal life in the form of accessible audits, shafts and workings, as well
as associated pollution, such as acid drainage, from old workings and stockpiles.
Visual degradation is an issue in some areas, even if the site is not actively eroding.
In some places, ongoing erosion can affect land stability, as well as impact re-
vegetation efforts and groundwater quality.

The greatest challenge for government is funding rehabilitation efforts. The
objective is to put a stable funding mechanism in place that can address the many
issues posed by orphaned or abandoned mines. While tapping existing revenue
streams generated by mining or creating a fund through a new levy on mining
production are the mot viable options, this bill also seeks to introduce the concept of
Public-Private Partnership in the rehabilitation of abandoned mines. Effective
partnerships will assist in dealing with the difficult issues posed by abandoned mine
sites, including pollution/contamination, land ownership, liability issues,


overlapping jurisdictions, and long-tern management considerations. Public-Private
Partnerships can facilitate the design of cleanup and rehabilitation strategies that
address the foregoing concerns.

Interestingly, for all the perceived dangers posed by abandoned mines, people
living in the vicinity of these mines still favor their reopening. After all, these mines
had provided employment for residents of the host communities when they were in
operation, as well as for those in nearby areas. Mining companies were seen as stable
sources of income compared to farming and fishing, which were among the more
common means of livelihood of towns that also had mining sites.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Jefabowd


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17) CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8695
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REHABILITATION OF ORPHANED OR ABANDONED
MINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7942,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Chapter 1 Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995, us hereby amended as follows:

“SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in and for purposes of this Act, the
following terms, whether in singular or plural, shall mean:

(a) Abandoned Mine refers to a mine covered by a mining lease contract or any
of the mineral agreements defined under this Act, which is closed without
proper decommissioning or has not been in actual operation for a

reasonable period of time, and whose mining contractor cannot be found


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or for which the mining contractor is unable or unwilling to carry out

rehabilitation and/or remediation works.

(b) Ancestral lands 1x xxx
(6) Block or meridional block XXX XXX
(4) Bureau XXX xXx
(€) Carrying capacity 2x xx
(6) Contiguous zone 2x xXx
(g) Contract area XXX XK
(h) Contractor XXX XXX

(i) Co-production agreement (CA) xxx xx

(i) Decommissioning refers to the activity or process that begins after cessation
of prospecting activities or mineral production, including metallurgical
plant production. It involved, among other, the removal of unwanted
infrastructure, making excavations and waste repositories safe and stable
and surface rehabilitation with a view to negate or minimize any adverse

environmental impacts remaining after cessation of mineral production. It

Xxx.
XXX.
Xxx.
Xxx.
XXX.
Xxx.
Xxx.
Xxx,

includes the after-care or maintenance that may be needed.

(k) Department x xx
() Development xx xXx
(m) Director 2x xx

(n) Ecological profile or eco-profile xxx xxx
(0) Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
(p) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) xxx
(q) Exclusive economic zone XXX XXX
(«) Existing mining/quarrying right xxx xxx
(8) Exploration XXX xXx

(t) Financial or technical assistance agreement

(u) Force majeure XXX XXX
(v) Foreign-owned corporation Xxx xxx
(w) Government XXX XXX

(%) Gross output KKK

Xxx,

Xxx,

Xxx,

XXX,

XXX,

Xxx,

XXX.

Xxx

XXX.

XXX.


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(y) Indigenous cultural community xxx xxx xxx.

(2) Joint Venture Agreement XXX XXX XXX.

(aa) Mineral processing XK XXX XK

(bb) Mine Rehabilitation refers to the process used to repair the impacts of
mining on the environment. The long-term objectives of rehabilitation can
vary from simply converting an area to a safe and stable condition to
restoring the pre-mining conditions as closely as possible with all the
area’s environmental values intact and establishing a land use capability
that is functional and proximate to the land use prior to the disturbance of
the mine area.

(cc) Mine wastes and tailings xxx xxx xxx.

(dd) Minerals 2X KKK
(ee) Mineral agreement XXX XXX XXX,
(6) Mineral land XXX KKK
(gg) Mineral resource XXX KKK
(hh) Mining area KKK KK
(ii) Mining Operation KKK OK

(i) Nongovernmental Organization xxx xxx Xxx.

(kk) Net assets XXX KKK
(l) Offshore XXX KKK
(mm) Onshore XK KK AKK
(nn) Ore XXX XXX XXX.
(00) Permittee XXX XK AK

(Pp) Pollution control and infrastructure devices xxx XXX XXX.

(qq) President XK XK XK
(tr) Private land XXX XXX XK
(ss) Public land XXX XXX XXX,
(tt) Qualified person XXX XXX XXX,
(uu) Quarrying XXX XKK XX.
(vv) Quarry permit XXX XXX XK.

(ww) Quarry resources KKK AAK.


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(xx) Regional Director XXX XXX XXX.

(vy) Regional Office XXX XXX XXX

(zz) _Remining refers to maximizing and recovering the remaining minerals
from the rejects or wastes of abandoned or decommissioned mines or

mining operations;

(aaa) Secretary XXX XXX KX.
(bbb) Special allowance XXX XXX XXX.
(ccc) Utilization XXX XXX 1K.”

Section 2. Chapter XI Section 63 of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995, is hereby amended as follows:

“Sec. 63. Mines Safety and Environmental Protection. All contractors and
permittees shall strictly comply with all the mines safety rules and regulations
as may be promulgated by the Secretary concerning the safe and sanitary
upkeep of the mining operations and achieve waste-free and efficient mine
development [Personnel of the Department involved in the implementation of
mines safety, health and environmental rules and regulations shall be covered
under Republic Act No. 7305.] SUBJECT BUT NOT LIMITED, TO THE
FOLLOWING RULES:

(a) TAILINGS IMPOUNDMENT. A CONTRACTOR MUST, AS FAR
AS PRACTICABLE, BUILD ITS TAILINGS IMPOUNDMENT
FACILITY AWAY FROM CRITICAL WATERSHED DRAINAGE
AREAS AND ENSURE THAT THE IMPOUNDMENT FACILITY
WILL NOT ENDANGER CRITICAL WATERSHED AREAS OR
LOW LYING VALLEYS IN THE EVENT OF EXTRAORDINARY
CLIMATE OR WEATHER CONDITIONS.  TAILING
IMPOUNDMENTS AND DAMS MUST MEET INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS FOR LARGE DAMS AT ALL TIMES, AND TAKE


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INTO CONSIDERATION THE FOLLOWING KEY SITE
SELECTION PARAMETERS:
(1) THE STORAGE CAPACITY REQUIRED OF THE FACILITY;
2) THE SITE AVAILABILITY, GEOTECHNICAL AND
GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS, THE HYDROLOGY OF THE
AREA, AND THE EASE OF THE DAY TO DAY
OPERATIONS;
(3) LAND OWNERSHIP, RIGHTS AND BOUNDARIES;
(4) RARE OR PROTECTED FLORA AND FAUNA;
(8) BORROW MATERIALS AVAILABLE AND LOCALITY;
(6) SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD/RIVER
DIVERSION;
(7) ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS;
(8) PROXIMITY TO LOCAL RESIDENTS/INFRASTRUCTURE;
(9) PROXIMITY TO LOCAL DRINKING WATER;
(10) SLEEPAGE CONTROL;
(11) GEOLOGY AND SEISMIC CINDITIONS;

(b) PRESERVATION OF TOPSOIL. THE REMOVED TOPSOIL OR

THE MORE PRODUCTIVE HORIZONS OF THE SOIL SHALL BE
PRESERVED FOR OTHER USES.

(c) RECYCLING OF WATER RESOURCES. WATER USED IN MINING

OPERATIONS SHALL BE RECYCLED. MINING CONTRACTORS
SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FOR THE METHODS OR
EQUIPMENT FOR THE RECYCLING OR REUSE OF WATER.
RELEASED CONTAMINATED WATER SHALL BE TREATED
ACCORDINGLY TO MEET NATIONAL STANDARDS.
RELEASED WATER MUST AT LEAST BE EQUIVALENT IN
QUALITY TO THE BASELINE WATER QUALITY.


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(d) PROHIBITION FROM USING ACID-GENERATING WASTE ROCK
TO BUILD ROADS OR DAMS. TO PREVENT OR MITIGATE ACID
MINE DRAINAGE, THERE SHALL BE A PROHIBITION
AGAINST USING ACID-GENERATING WASTE ROCK TO BUILD
ROADS OR DAMS OR OTHER INFRASTRUCTURES. THE USE
OF SUCH MATERIALS SHALL ONLY BE USED AFTER
TREATMENT TO NEUTRALIZE THE EFFECT OF ACID MINE
DRAINAGE.

(e) REHABILITATION OF ABANDONED MINES. ALL ABANDONED
MINES SHALL, UPON IDENTIFICATION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE MINES AND GEO-SCIENCES
BUREAU (MGB) BE DECLARED OPEN FOR MINING
APPLICATION, AND ALL PRIOR MINING RIGHTS OR
CONTRACTS OVER THE SAME SHALL BE RESCINDED,
WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO ANY LEGAL ACTION FOR BREACH
OF CONTRACT OR DAMAGES THAT THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR
THAT ABANDONED THE PROJECT.

FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE MGB SHALL CONDUCT THE

FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:

(1) CONDUCT A SCOPING STUDIES OF ALL ABANDONED
MINES AND MINERAL PROCESSING IMPACT AREAS;

(2) CREATE AN INVENTORY LIST OF ABANDONED MINES;

(3) PROVIDE THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO ASSESS
AND CHARACTERIZE THE SITE;

(4) DEFINE THE COSTS AND RISKS; AND

(5) DEVELOP A REHABILITATION PROGRAM TO PRIORITIZE
THE AREAS TO BE REHABILITATED TO MITIGATE


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OBSERVED AND POTENTIAL THREATS TO HUMAN
HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

MINE SITE REHABILITATION PLANS SHALL AIM TO
ESTABLISH A LAND USE CAPABILITY THAT IS FUNCTIONAL
AND PROXIMATE TO THE LAND USE PRIOR TO THE
DISTURBANCE OF THE MINE AREA, UNLESS OTHER MORE
BENEFICIAL LAND USES ARE PREDETERMINED AND
AGREED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND
LGUs.

WHERE FEASIBLE, ABANDONED MINES SHALL BE
REOPENED TO MINING APPLICATION BY QUALIFIED
PERSONS TO MAXIMIZE ITS MINERAL POTENTIAL,
RECOVERR THE REMAINING MINERALS FROM THE MINE OR
ITS WASTE, AND FUND ITS FINAL DECOMMISSIONING AND
REHABILITATION. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN CASE
THE ABANDONED MINE IS REOPENED FOR MINING
OPERATIONS, FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE NET MINING
REVENUE, CORRESPOINDING TO THE GOVERNMENT'S
SHARE THEREIN, SHALL BE SET ASIDE TO DUNF THE FINAL
MINE REHABILITATION AND DECOMMISSIONING PLAN
(FMRDP).”

Section 3. Chapter XV Section 89 of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995, is hereby amended as follows:

“Sec. 89. REHABILITATION FEE, Filing Fees and other Charges. ALL
CONTRACTORS WITH ACTIVE MPSA AND FTAA SHALL PAY TO THE
NATIONAL TREASURY, FOR DEPOSIT IN A FUND, A REHABILITATION
FEE EQUIVALENT TO THE MINE WASTES AND TAILINGS FEE AS


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PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT. SUCH FEE SHALL BE PAID NO LATER
THAN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE END OF EACH CALENDAR QUARTER
BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST CALENDAR QUARTER OCCURRING
AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2014, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.

The Secretary is also authorized to charge reasonable filing fees and other
charges as he may prescribe in accordance with the implementing rules and
regulations.”

Section 4. Establishment of an Abandoned Mine Rehabilitation Trust Fund (AMRTF).
There is hereby created an Abandoned Mine Rehabilitation Trust Fund (AMRTF) to
fund rehabilitation of abandoned mines, which fund shall be administered by the
Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The fund shall
consist of amounts deposited in the fund, from time to time derived from:

(a) The rehabilitation fees levied under Section 89 of this Act;

(b) Any user charge imposed on contractors for land reopened to mining
operations under Section 76 (0), after allowed expenditure have been
deducted;

(c) Recovered money as provided for under this title;

(d) Interest income earned by the AMRTF; and

(e) Donations by persons, corporations, association and foundations for the

purpose of this chapter.

Section 5. Use of the AMRTF. The AMRTF may be used for the following purposes:

(a) Reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected
by past mining operations, including but not limited to reclamation and
restoration of abandoned surface mine areas, abandoned processing areas,
and abandoned mine waste storage areas; planting of land adversely affected
by past mining to prevent erosion and sedimentation; prevention, abatement,
treatment, and control of water pollution created by mine drainage including
restoration of steam beds, and construction and operation of water treatment


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plants; prevention, abatement, and control of mine subsidence and
establishment of self-sustaining programs to insure private property against
damages caused by land subsidence resulting from underground mining;

(b) Acquisition and filing of voids and sealing of abandoned mine tunnels, shafts
and entryways;

(c) Acquisition of land as may be necessary to properly rehabilitate and reclaim
an abandoned mine;

(d) All other necessary expenses to accomplish the purpose of this Act.

Section 6, The Abandoned Mine Rehabilitation Trust Fund (AMRTF) Committee. An
AMRTF Committee shall be created and shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:

(a) Set priorities of abandoned and orphaned mines for rehabilitation;

(b) Manage, operate, monitor, and administer the AMRIF that shall be
established and deposited in a Government depository bank in accordance
with the provisions of these implementing rules and regulations;

(c) Resolve issues involving rehabilitation programs that shall be implemented;

(d) Hire credible experts to do independent studies and researches on the
environmental, engineering and sociocultural impacts of the projects in order
to assist it in making judicious decisions;

(e) Deputize an MMT to serve as its monitoring arm with the regional Office
concerned taking the lead role;

(§) Maintain independent and specific books of records for all transactions of the
AMRIF.

Section 7. Composition of the AMRTF Committee, The AMRTF Committee shall be
composed of the following:

(a) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources as Co-Chair;

(b) The Secretary of Interior and Local Government as Co-Chair;

(©) The Director of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau as Member;

(d) The Director of the EMB as Member;


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(c) A Representative from the LGU as Member;

(f) A Representative from the NGOs and community organizations, including
People’s Organizations, church or civic organizations, as Member; and,

(g) A Representative from the mining industry as Member.

In case the Chair and/or Co-Chair cannot personally attend a meeting or
function of the AMRTF Committee, he/she shall designate or appoint a
representative who shall be duly authorized in writing to have full power and
authority to act in his/her behalf.

The MGB shall provide the technical, secretariat and administrative supports, as
may be deemed necessary, to the Committee.

Section 8. Meetings of the AMRTF Committee. The Committee shall hold quarterly
meetings: Provided, That any member of the Committee may call a special meeting as
he/she may deem necessary; Provided, further, That notices of the meetings stating
the date, time, place, and agenda therefor shall be sent by the Committee Chair or
Co-Chair to all members at least ten (10) working days before the intended date of
the meetings. In all meetings, the presence of at least four (4) members shall
constitute a quorum to conduct business. The meetings shall be presided by the
Chair or, in his/her absence, by the Co-Chair. In the absence of the Chair and Co-
Chair, the meetings shall be presided by either of their representatives. Unless
otherwise provided herein, a majority vote of the members present in the meeting
shall be required to give effect to any resolutions or decisions of the Committee. The
presiding officer of the meeting shall not vote in any matter brought before the

Committee except in case of a ties.

Section 9. Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT). An MMY shall be deputized by the
AMRTF Committee to serve as the monitoring arm of said Committee and shall be
composed of the following:

(a) A Representative from Regional Office as Head;


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(b) A Representative from Department Regional Office as Member;
(c) A Representative from the EMB Regional Office as Member;

(d) A Representative of the Contractor/Permit Holder as Member;
(c) A Representative from the affected community (ies) as Member;
(f) A Representative from the ICCs, if any, as Member; and,

(g) A Representative from an environmental NGO.

The MMT may request the AMRTF Committee for technical assistance when
deemed necessary. The Head of the MMT shall submit to the AMRTF Committee, at
least five (5) working days before the scheduled regular meetings of the latter, a

report on the status and/or result of its monitoring activities.

Section 10. Authorized Person to carry out rehabilitation activities. In the case of
abandoned mines where no mining application has been filed or approved, the
AMRTF Committee may authorize a person to carry out all or any of the
rehabilitation activities enumerated under Section 78 of this Act on land on which an

abandoned mine exists.

Section 11. Notice of entry.
(a) An Authorized Person entering land under this part must give the owner
and the occupier of the land written notice of the entry —

(1) If the carrying out of rehabilitation activities is necessary to preserve
life or property —within ten (10) business days after the entry is made;
or

(2) Otherwise —before entering the land.

(b) The written notice must state the following —

(1) When the entry was, or is to be, made;

(2) The purpose of the entry;

(3) That the Authorized Person is permitted under this Act to enter the
land without consent or a warrant;

(4) The Rehabilitation activities carried out or proposed to be carried out.


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Section 12. Obligation of authorized person in carrying out rehabilitation activities. An
authorized person who enters land under this part—
(a) Must not cause, or contribute to, unnecessary damage to any structure or
works on the land; and,
(b) Must take all reasonable steps to ensure the person causes as little
inconvenience, and does as little other damage, as is practicable in the

circumstances.

Section 13. Final Relinquishment of Rehabilitated Areas. The Contractor/ Authorized
Person shall prepare and submit a Final Rehabilitation Report (FRR) with third party
Environmental Audit (EA) for approval by the AMRTF Committee, if, based on the
assessment of the Contractor/Permit Holder, that the objectives of rehabilitation
have been achieved.

The AMRTF Committee may, after due review and evaluation of the FRR
with EA, conduct field validation of the reported accomplishments, recommend
revision/s to the submitted report, and/or require additional rehabilitation works to
be undertaken: Provided, That is residual care is still needed, the Contractor/Permit
Holder shall submit a Site Management Plan detailing how the identified residual
rehabilitation commitments are to be managed, Provided further, That the AMRTF
Committee shall issue a Certificate of Final Relinquishment to the
Contractor/ Authorized Person signifying approval of the FRR with EA and freeing
the Contractor/ Authorized Person from any further obligations in so far as the

rehabilitated area/s are concerned.

Section 14. Penalties. Any person, corporate officer, agent or director, on behalf of a
mining contractor, who knowingly makes any false statement, representation or
certification, or knowingly fails to make any statement, representation or
certification required in this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of
not more than One Million Pesos (Php1,000,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more
than one year, or both.


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The MGB shall conduct such audits of mineral production and the payment of
fees under this subchapter as may be necessary to ensure full compliance with the
provisions of this chapter. For purposes of performing such audits the MGB shall, at
all reasonable times, upon request, have access to, and may copy, all books, papers,
and other documents of any person subject to the provisions of this chapter. The
MGB may at any time conduct audits of any mining and reclamation operation,
including without limitation, processing plants, as may be necessary in the judgment
of the MGB to ensure full and complete payment of the fees under this subchapter.

Section 15. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held or declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other provisions hereof shall
continue to be in force as if the provisions so annulled or voided had never been
incorporated in this Act.

Section 16, Repealing and Amending Clause. All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 17. Effectivity Clause, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers or general

circulation.

Approved,