DILG chief Año asks LGUs to join Earth Hour 2018

Interior Officer-in-Charge Sec. Eduardo Año on Thursday urged local government units (LGU) and the public to join this year’s Earth Hour to raise awareness against climate change.

Año asked all local chief executives to urge their constituents to switch off their lights during Earth Hour on Sunday, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to “show care for Mother Earth.”

“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 a statement.

In Memorandum Circular No. 2018-22 issued recently, Año asked 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,” he said.

The DILG Chief said local execs are likewise encouraged to go “Beyond the Hour” by publicly promoting renewed ways and programs of initiating change, which include environmental projects that offices and individuals are willing to undertake throughout the year.

Local governments are urged to document their Earth Hour event and send it to World Wide for Nature through its website or use the hashtags #EartHourPH2018 and #Connect2Earth on posts online.

The highlight of Earth Hour activities in the country will be held at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on Sunday. /je