QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- In partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines (WWF-Philippines, Quezon City will host this year’s Earth Hour celebration in the Philippines on March 25 at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
QC, recognized as the largest city leading climate action in the country, will join over 7,000 cities from 193 countries to commemorate Earth Hour, which is considered one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements.
“Local Government Units like Quezon City play a big part in raising awareness about the threats of climate change among our constituents. That’s why every environmental program and initiative we have established and are currently planning are inclusive and responsive to the circumstances of our people,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
On March 25 at exactly 8:30 PM, the city government will switch off the lights of the pylon in Quezon Memorial Circle and other city government-run buildings for an hour. QCitizens and business owners are also encouraged to switch off their non-essential lights.
“The city’s participation in Earth Hour signifies our strong commitment to push for climate justice as we head towards advancing inclusive, ambitious, and evidence-based climate action to provide a livable and quality community for all,” Belmonte added.
Before the switch off activity on the 25th, the city government through the QC Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) and the Gender and Development Council Office (GAD) will host the Padyak ng Kababaihan para sa Kalikasan cycling event and a scavenger hunt for the youth.
Various non-government organizations and social enterprises with climate and environment advocacies will also set up booths around the premises of Liwasang Aurora.
A pre-switch off program will also take place, where performances and messages of support from different NGOs and government agencies will be delivered.
During the lights-off proper, a symbolic run spearheaded by fitness and environmental conservation enthusiasts will take place inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, signifying the power of collective action in achieving a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature.
“We are celebrating Earth Hour again in-person to show our stronger commitment and solidarity as a people who want a better future for our country. We want to make this the Biggest Hour for Earth because we are fighting the biggest concerns of the planet: climate change and biodiversity loss. These grave issues might seem impossible to solve, but that is why we in WWF always advocate our ‘Together, Possible’ approach. We bring people together and solve problems together and this is what Earth Hour is all about,” WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio said.
Quezon City has been working with WWF-Philippines and Earth Hour for several years. QC was also the host city of Earth Hour in 2015, which took place at the QMC.
QC was also among the finalists of the One Planet Cities Challenge (OPCC) last year, which recognized cities for their climate actions and ambitions, and evaluates whether they align with the goal set forth in the Paris Agreement to limit climate change to 1.5 °C.
The observance of Earth Hour is organized by the WWF-Philippines, co-presented by the QC Government, ComCo Mundo League of Enterprises, and supported by the Department of Energy, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Court of Appeals, Department of Health, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Laguna Lake Development Authority, DICT, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and National Parks Development Committee. (qc paisd)
