Church urges Pinoys to observe Earth Hour

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales called on Filipinos yesterday to observe the one-hour “lights out” during Earth Hour on Saturday, and to use the time to ponder how they can responsibly use the natural resources given by God.

He hopes that by shutting down electricity from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Filipinos would realize the great need to save the environment.

In Metro Manila, Quezon City, Makati and Parañaque declared they are joining the observance of Earth Hour.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. proposed that lights be switched off along the city’s major roads and also at major landmarks, households and communities.

The World Wide Fund (WWF) named Makati City as the official “Earth Hour Flagship City,” with Mayor Jejomar Binay as the Earth Hour 2009 ambassador.

Binay will lead the ceremonial one-minute countdown at 8:29 p.m. on Saturday at the Tower One and Exchange Plaza on Ayala Avenue. The event will start with a short program at 7 p.m.

Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe said the city’s observance of Earth Hour is part of a series of events, dubbed “Earth Day, Everyday,” leading to the celebration of Earth Day on April 22.

The city will hold an exhibit today at SM Bicutan, an environment convention at SM Sucat on Saturday, and an environmental fair at the city hall grounds on April 6. – Evelyn Macairan, Mike Frialde