MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay called on the city’s residents, institutions and business establishments to switch off their lights for one hour in observance of Earth Hour 2018 at 8:30 p.m. on March 24.
Binay will join the ceremonial switching off of lights for one hour at Ayala Avenue. She will be joined by fellow environmental advocates from the barangays and the business community.
“We call on Makati residents, institutions and business establishments to once again show our solidarity with cities and nations around the world in healing our planet,” Binay said, adding the event will be held at the Fountain Area of Tower One and Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Ayala Avenue in Makati, where registration will start at 6 p.m.
Themed “Let Nature Shine” with #Connect2Earth, the event will officially start at 6:30 p.m. The ceremonial switching off of lights will be from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Makati City has been participating in the global celebration of Earth Hour since 2008, to express its commitment to help reduce carbon-dioxide (CO2) emission. The event aims to raise awareness among residents, the business community and other stakeholders on the importance of lower energy consumption.
Department of Environmental Services (DES) chief engineer Leopoldo Parumog said the yearly celebration of Earth Hour has helped reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in the city.
Based on DES records, last year’s Earth Hour, in which households, establishments and institutions participated, resulted in over 16 million watts in total energy, savings, which is roughly equivalent to 8,943 kilograms of CO2 emission.
Guests expected to attend the event include Jen Santos of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Bantay Kalikasan; Archival Malforte, Earth Hour Champion for the Philippines; Louis Faure of Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm; and Benj Paras and Ryan Melad of IM Agency.
City officials will also be joined by representatives of the city’s partners in this year’s Earth Hour, namely, Ayala Land, Ayala Property Management Corp., Akari, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Makati/JCI Makati Princess Urduja, Makati Commercial Estate Association, Make It Happen Make It Makati, Manila Water Co., McDonald’s, Meralco, San Miguel Foundation Inc., Pacific Paint Philippines, Nestlé Philippines, Philippine Human Resource and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Entertainment will be provided by Ralph Paule a.k.a. Jay Contreras and Never Ending Story Band, Hustle One (three-time champion), Earth Day Envi Rap, Caracol 2018 Festival Grand Winner-Pitogo High School, EA Dance Group-Manila Street Dance 2017 Finalist in Junior Category, Chi Chi the Panda from the WWF and Kiko Meralco Lineman, and other guest performers.
The event will be hosted by Rachel Aurelio, Nicole Sena and Carol Jaraplasan of JCI.
Participants will also have a chance to show their commitment through a Pledge for the Environment that will be led by Malforte.
In 2008 City Resolution 2008-056 was enacted declaring 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. as Earth Hour of Makati City and encouraging its observance among all residents and households; and owners/managers of business establishments and/or buildings in Makati City.