ILOILO City Government is set to join the worldwide Earth Hour on March 24, Saturday.

Under the Memorandum Circular 15 signed by Mayor Jose Espinosa III, the Ilonggos are encourage to join the world in the conduct of the Earth Hour by switching off the lights including streetlights and signages which will last for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the evening.

All of the city’s government officials and employees are mandated to ensure the compliance of the circular.

This year’s Earth Hour conveys a theme entitled, “Let nature shine.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu encourages the Filipinos to participate on the activity for an environment-friendly lifestyle.

“Surely no less important are the pro-environment actions that we take between the annual Earth Hours –- the 8,759 other hours of an ordinary year,” he said.

The DENR -– Environment and Management Bureau - Western Visayas invites the Ilonggos to join the annual activity at the SM City Iloilo South point.

“Ilonggo’s will once again show their support in saving and protecting our Mother Earth by participating in this event,” DENR-6 Regional Director Jim Sampulna said.

He also encourages the people who will participate in their own home or community.

“We are hoping that conserving energy will not only last an hour but for a longer time. Let this event be the kickoff of the true change of climate change,” Sampulna said.

On the previous year, Philippines was able to trim down electricity consumption for as much as 611MWh.

Earth Hour is a global movement created by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) which aims to unite the people worldwide to call for an action for climate change through switching off the lights.