Preparations underway for Earth Hour 2010 launch in WV
Preparations are underway for this year’s launch of the biggest call to take action on climate change for an hour in this part of the country.
The Department of Energy (DOE) together with other partner agencies met recently to finalize details for the launching of the Earth Hour 2010 in Western Visayas set on March 2 at 1 p.m. at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Iloilo City.
Earth Hour is a global event organized by the World Wide Fund. It is a symbolic act to inspire humanity to mitigate and adapt to climate change by switching off lights for one hour which will be held this year on March 27 from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.
About four hundred participants from the academe, people’s organizations, government agencies, business and other stakeholders are expected to join the launching that will be attended by Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes.
Engr. Rey Maleza of the DOE Field Office in the Visayas said the launch intends to raise the awareness and support of the Ilonggos for this forthcoming environmental action. This is the second year that Iloilo City is participating in the Earth Hour event.
Maleza said households and businesses are only asked to turn-off non-essential lights for an hour on March 27.
He also urged the full participation of the various local government units and other stakeholders in Iloilo City and Province as well as of the other provinces in the region.
In March 2009, the Philippines ranked first amongst all nations who participated in the event where 647 local government units and communities turned-off their lights.
Maleza said last year, the country was able to save 611 MWh of electricity during the Earth Hour which is equivalent to shutting down a dozen power plants for an hour.
Organizers of the Earth Hour are aiming for the support of at least 15 million Filipinos this year. (PIA)
