MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging all local government units (LGUs) and the public to act now against climate change by joining the whole world in switching off their lights for at least an hour to support Earth Hour on Saturday (March 24, 2018).
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and became the largest collective environmental movement in the world.
DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo M. Año said as leaders in their respective communities, governors, mayors, and barangay captains should mobilize their respective constituents to show that they care for Mother Earth by the simple act of switching off their lights on March 24 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“On March 24, let us show our solidarity to the global campaign to combat climate change by observing Earth Hour. This simple act when done collectively will reduce carbon emissions and somehow help mitigate climate change,” Año said.
In Memorandum Circular No. 2018-22, Año urged all local chief executives to switch off their lights during Earth Hour, including streetlights, signages, and key monuments in public places during the global lights-out event.
“We likewise encourage the private sector to turn off their lights and other signages in their facilities during Earth Hour as their operations and businesses will allow,” Año said.
Local executives were urged to go “Beyond the Hour” by publicly promoting renewed ways and programs of initiating change, which can include environmental projects that offices and individuals are willing to undertake throughout the year.
Likewise, local governments were urged to document their Earth Hour event and send it to World Wide for Nature through www.wwf.org.ph/earthhour or upload online and add social media hashtag #EartHourPH2018 and #Connect2Earth that will highlight activities celebrating Earth Hour 2018.
The highlight of Earth Hour activities in the Philippines will be held at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 24. (PNA)
