Earth hour

BAGUIO CITY – City officials during the earth hour celebration last week urged residents to “go beyond 60 minutes,” and contribute efforts, though diminutive, to reduce the effects of global warming.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan, interviewed after the switch-off of lights for an energy-saving hour emphasized on tree-planting which the city is conducting in full force, as the simplest but most effective of all measures.

Councilor Mylen Yaranon said energy conservation is done everyday in very simple ways: putting off energy-consuming home appliances and gadgets when not in use.

Energy conservation to preserve our resources, for the future generations’ use should be our endeavor, Councilor Elaine Sembrano added.

The mayor and councilors spoke during the program after the gong parade from upper Session road to city hall, March 25, Saturday evening. Lights were then shut off after a countdown, from 8:30 to 9:30 PM as a group community dance went on at the city hall grounds.

Baguio congressman Mark Go who spoke through a representative, said legislative measures are proposed for environment-saving actions: tree-planting for each child born; concerted pollution-control; the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) concept where communities support each in environmental programs; specifically in water, air and land pollution problems.

Our earth is wounded, bleeding and sore, molested for the past years, thus we need to know our responsibilities and join hands to help mother earth heal, through lessened carbon emissions. We should act now to harness power, funds and support, for tangible results, Go said through his office representative.

Officer-in-Charge Regional Director for Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Reynaldo Digamo spoke about the commitment and choice to “protect and defend persecuted mother earth.” We could help in various ways, as we are catalysts and agents of change he said. In this 10th year of celebrating earth hour internationally, much is still needed to be done for responsible power use and energy conservation.

City Environment and Parks Management Officer (CEPMO) Cordella Lacsamana said as Baguio is vulnerable to global warming, more effort should be done beyond the 60 minute earth hour. We still advocate and are campaigning hard for energy-saving measures, she added.

This year’s earth hour celebration theme, is “Shine a Light on Climate Change.”/Julie G. Fianza#

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