• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is encouraging all residents in Bacolod City to observe Earth Hour on Friday.
A resolution encouraging all residents from the different barangays, establishments and institutions in Bacolod City to switch off their lights on March 23, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., as a simple way to show their involvement in the Earth Hour celebration, was recently approved by the SP.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Simplicia Distrito, said Earth Hour is an annual global event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that started in March 2007.
The event aims to encourage individuals, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., it added.
According to the World Wildlife Fund-Philippines, the country has been involved in Earth Hour since 2008. It has topped global participation since the year 2009, engaging national and local government institutions, major corporations, and every Filipino to do their part in making a formidable stand against global warming, the resolution said.
From a symbolic lights off event, Earth Hour has evolved into a movement that shines light on the issues of climate change and the importance of protecting the environment, it said.
The resolution said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Switch off Plastic Pollution, give an Hour for Earth,” is primarily focused on addressing plastic pollution as it is one of the most pressing international and public health issues.
For the past years, the City of Bacolod has actively participated in the Earth Hour celebration spearheaded by various agencies, organizations, establishments, and the barangays in cooperation with the city government, it said.*
