LGUs urged to join global observance of Earth Hour
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has enjoined all local government units (LGUs) to join the whole world in observing Earth Hour by encouraging their constituents to switch off their lights on March 25, 2023 from 8:30-9:30 PM. to send a strong and urgent message on the need for collective action to address climate change.
“Let us unite with the rest of the world in caring for our one and only home, Mother Earth. Ang simpleng pagpatay ng inyong mga ilaw ay malaking tulong na para makabawas sa epekto ng climate change,” DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said.
He said this year’s global movement provides the platform to urgently promote the advocacy of addressing the planet’s biggest environmental challenges. “We need to take urgent and decisive actions NOW to save the planet for our sake and the sake of future generations,” he said.
As the Vice-chair for Disaster Preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Abalos encouraged all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays to embark on Earth Hour activities that are aligned with the new global action plan for nature for the coming decade.
In memorandum circular 2023-031, Abalos prodded LGUs to mobilize their constituents to participate in the Earth Hour activities in their respective areas.
He also encouraged LGUs to mobilize the private sector within their jurisdictions to be one with the government in observing Earth Hour by switching off their signage lights or some of their lights in their facilities, as the business operations will allow.
To cause the widest dissemination, Abalos advised the LGUs to post and/or share Earth Hour communication materials on their respective social media pages and offline platforms using the hashtag #EarthHour.
Among the suggested communication materials include event posters, virtual roundtable livestream, virtual marathon publicity materials, press releases, and others.
Abalos likewise urged LGUs to document their Earth Hour events and initiatives and send them to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines via email at [email protected].
Started in Australia in 2007, the annual Earth Hour has become the world’s biggest grassroots environmental movement spanning over 7,000 cities and 180 countries and territories. This year’s Earth Hour activities in the country will be held at Quezon City Circle, Quezon City on March 25 from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.
