DAVAO City Council and private sector have vowed to support Earth Hour, which will be held starting 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution, supporting such effort to inspire global action for climate change, as proposed by committee on energy, transportation, and communication chair Councilor Pilar Braga.
Local stakeholders have also arranged for a program at SM City Parking Area D on Saturday evening to make the event more meaningful.
The Earth Hour, now on its third year, is an observance of turning off the lights of homes and different establishments for one hour.
"The act of turning off the electricity and lights may not reduce power consumption on power plants and will not have a great impact on our electricity bill but this symbolic gesture will create global awareness about the earth's current situation," Braga said in a privilege speech.
"The more people are aware, then the more they would be willing to take part in creating solutions," Braga said, adding that the Green Alliance for Davao, Save Davao Gulf Foundation chaired by Councilor Leo Avila III, and the Davao City National High School have given their pledge to join the event.
The Earth Hour started in March 2008 in Sydney, Australia. In the following year, the Philippines ranked first among all nations worldwide with the greatest participation volume.
In the country, 10 million Filipinos in 647 local government units and communities in 2009 turned off their lights.
Over 4,000 cities in 88 countries in 2009 officially took part in the pledge, making the Earth Hour the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
The massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2 percent, which is equivalent to taking 48,000 cars off the road.
"The Earth Hour 2010 is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, and to get actively involved in working towards a sustainable culture. Let us continue to generate pledges from other stakeholders by supporting the Earth Hour,” Braga said.
The program on Saturday will be participated by the tourism and business groups, non-government organizations, civic groups, professionals and students.
The theme will be a mini "indak-indakan," which will showcase to the world the identity of the city. This is made possible through the support of the Mindanao Business Council, SM City Davao, Marco Polo Davao, Hedcor, Phoenix Fuel Corporation, Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Anflocor, Davao Teknosun Company, Del Monte Fresh Fruits and Mindanao Daily Mirror, in partnership with the Department of Energy, WWF-Philippines, Green Army, Switch, and Department of Tourism.
The participation of the following were tapped for the event: Magallanes Central Elementary School with the Davao Association of Tour Operators, Davao Travel Agents Association, Guide Davao, and Naiatas; Bolton Elementary School and Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School with Skal, Hotel Sales Managers Association, Small Hotels Association of Davao, Airlines Association of Davao and Tourism Congress; Sining Tala Dance Company of John Paul II College of Davao with Davao Tourism Association and Davao Cooperative Center for Visitors and Conventions. (JCZ/With PR)