Makati City government officials, led by Mayor Abigail Binay, will celebrate on Saturday this year’s Earth Hour, a traditional event aimed to raise awareness among residents, the business community, and other stakeholders on the importance of lower energy consumption.
The event will be held at the Fountain Area of Tower One and Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Ayala Avenue, where registration will start at 6 p.m.
The city government has been participating in the global Earth Hour celebration since 2008 to signify its commitment to contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emission.
“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,” Mayor Binay said.
This year’s theme “Let Nature Shine” with #Connect2Earth, will officially start at 6:30 p.m. and the ceremonial switching off lights will be from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
City’s Department of Environmental Services chief engineer Leopoldo Parumog said the yearly celebration of Earth Hour has helped in reducing 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 Philippines, Louis Faure of Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm, 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, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Junior Chamber International Makati/JCI Makati Princess Urduja, Makati Commercial Estate Association, Make It Happen Make It Makati, Manila Water Co., McDonald’s, and Manila Electric Co., San Miguel Foundation, Inc., Pacific Paint Philippines, Nestle Philippines, Philippine Human Resource, and World Wide Fund for Nature.
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.
Participants will also have a chance to show their commitment through a Pledge for the Environment that will be led by Archival Malforte.
In 2008, City Resolution No. “ª2008-056 was enacted declaring 8:30pm to 9:30pm as “Earth Hour” of Makati City and encouraging its observance among all residents/households and owners/managers of business establishments and/or buildings in Makati City.