MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle led several prelates on Friday, March 29, in calling on the faithful to join anew the annual observance of the Earth Hour on Saturday, March 30.
In separate interviews over Church-run Radyo Veritas, Tagle, San Jose, Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari and San Fernando, La Union Bishop Daniel Presto all urged the faithful to join the yearly symbolic global lights out event, which starts at 8:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.
“Let us participate in the observance of the Earth Hour 2019... How do we do it? Let us turn off our electric appliances for that one hour and let the environment rest for the moment,” Tagle said.
Mallari said it will help raise more awareness on the importance of caring for the environment.
“This will make us more aware in caring for our common home, the environment, and other creations of God,” said Mallari.
For his part, Presto said the one-hour activity will hopefully be a start in finally seeing a change in the attitude of Filipinos toward the environment beyond the Earth Hour.
“This little practice of the Earth Hour will hopefully prompt a change in our attitudes and do what we can save electric consumption in our home, office, or schools,” said Presto.
From 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, everyone is strongly encouraged to turn off their lights and other electric appliances in a bid to get a rest from energy consumption.
Starting as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has now become the world's largest movement for the environment, inspiring millions of people to take action for our planet and nature. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)