Cebu cuts power cost in Earth Hour

A large part of Metro Cebu’s skyline went dark for an hour last night as commercial establishments and households joined the rest of the world in switching off  lights to mark Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m

Organizers were aiming for a better record than last year’s savings of 18 megawatts in Metro Cebu.

As of 9: 30 p.m. Veco said  there was a drop of 16.55 MW of power in its franchise area, where the utility supplies  308 MW of power daily.

In Cebu City, contact center Eperformax turned off its signage lights, unused computers and dimmed  office lights.

At the Marco Polo Plaza, guests were  treated to a night of songs, fire dancing and a candle lit pool party under dimmed hotel lights.

The view from the hotel’s balcony had a different scene. From the top of Nivel Hills,  the city below was still fully lit up.

Elsewhere,  the Persimmon condominiums in Mabolo reduced their electricity consumption by 97 percent, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral cut theirs by 85 percent, Ayala Center by  70 percent while SM City and Radisson Hotel reduced theirs by 75 percent.

Establishments along Mango Avenue cut back power by 80 percent while the  Gaisano south block  recorded 100 percent switchoff.

About 300 people gathered at the Plaza Independencia, the main event site in Cebu City, which is one of three switch off areas aside from Davao and Manila organized by  the  World Wildlife Fund (WWF.

In Cebu City, the Aboitiz group organized an essay writing contest and eco-bazaar that showcased products made from recycled items and organic food.

Before 8:30 p.m., dancers from the University of Cebu and the Lumad Basakanon of Basak San Nicolas performed while WWF official Andy Ridley delivered his  messages in a live  video  feeds from Makati City.

An “I will if you will” commitment wall was set up in the Plaza for volunteers to write their pledges to  save energy led by Ms. Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry.

Pledges included “not using one’s PC for a week”, recycling paper in the office, and keeping the sea garbage-free.

Others said they would plant trees, use less paper, and ride bicycles instead of cars.

Gia Ibay, WWF coordinator for climate change, said 107 cities including Cebu City and 1,500 towns across the Philippines joined the activity.