IN observance of Earth Hour, Malacañang urged the public on Saturday, March 30, to participate in the global effort to fight climate change.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said turning off the lights and reducing the use of plastic may be simple acts, but could help promote a "clean, safe and healthy" environment.

"March 30 tonight, we will join the rest of the world in switching off our lights for Earth Hour," he said.

"We therefore call on everyone to cut down on the rampant use of plastics as we continue to aspire for a clean, safe and healthy environment," the Palace official added.

Earth Hour, a global initiative that began in 2007, encourages people from all over the world to switch off their lights for an hour to raise awareness on environmental problems.

This year's Earth Hour will take place from 8:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The observance of Earth Hour 2019 focuses on the campaign against single-use plastics, which is a major problem in the country.

Panelo said the Philippines's participation was needed, noting that a United Nations report which showed that the country is "one of the top five contributors of plastic waste in the world’s oceans."

The Philippines has been an active participant of Earth Hour since 2009, and is consistently one of the movement's biggest advocates. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)