DILG enjoins all LGUs to support Earth Hour

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has enjoined all local government units (LGUs) to join the observance of Earth Hour.

“Let us unite with the rest of the world in caring for our one and only home, Mother Earth. Ang simpleng pagpatay ng inyong mga ilaw ay malaking tulong na para makabawas sa epekto ng climate change (The simple act of turning off your lights is a big help in reducing the effects of climate change),” Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said in a statement Friday.

He said this year’s global movement provides a platform to urgently promote the advocacy of addressing the planet’s biggest environmental challenges.

“We need to take urgent and decisive actions NOW to save the planet for our sake and the sake of future generations,” he said.

As the vice-chair for Disaster Preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Abalos encouraged all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays to embark on Earth Hour activities that are aligned with the new global action plan for nature for the coming decade.

In Memorandum Circular 2023031, Abalos prodded LGUs to mobilize their constituents to participate in Earth Hour activities in their respective areas.

He also encouraged LGUs to mobilize the private sector within their jurisdictions to be one with the government in observing Earth Hour by switching off their signage lights or some of their lights in their facilities, as the business operations will allow.

To cause the widest dissemination, Abalos advised the LGUs to post and/or share Earth Hour communication materials on their respective social media pages and offline platforms using the hashtag #EarthHour.

Among the suggested communication materials are event posters, virtual roundtable livestream, vir- tual marathon publicity materials, press releases, and others.

Abalos likewise urged LGUs to document their Earth Hour events and initiatives and send them to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines via email at earthhour@wwf.org.ph.

Earth Hour, which started in Australia in 2007, has become the world’s biggest grassroots environmental movement spanning over 7,000 cities and 180 countries and territories.

This year’s Earth Hour activities in the country will be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. (PNA) Photos by WWF Philippines

LED... FROM 2 HUBAHIB... FROM 3 INGRAM... FROM 11 9 OF 10... FROM 2 DABAWENYOS...

FROM 3 um lights to LED lights. Mapansin na nato na gamay na lang ang sodium lights na nabilin na nagsiga dinha sa atoang kadalanan. By the end of the year 100 percent nata naka LED lights,” Bonguyan said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

Bonguyan said the city government of Davao can generate savings of up to 40 percent with the conversion project.

“This year, pag 100 percent na naka LED lights dako ang atoang ma save sa atoang pagbayad sa kuryente sa DLPC. Up to 40 percent na ang atoang ma-save compare sa sodium lights nga atoang ginagamit before. Pero as we all know ang Davao City sige ug develop ug subdivisions, establishments so naga expand pud ta ug suga sa kadalanan sa syudad sa Davao as far as Lasang, Paquibato, ug Marilog,“ he said.

Bonguyan also said that it is the goal of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to energize the entire city with LEDs this year and that is why DLPC has also prepared more LED lights to be spread out throughout the city.

He also said that not only this will prevent accidents in the main thoroughfares of the city but installing LED lights in the barangays will address and alleviate concerns of riots and youths hanging out in dark areas.

“Pipila nato katuig naggunit ani nga komitiba ug pipila na ka committee hearings ang atoang nahimo ani, nagapaminaw ta sa mga concerns of every barangay para sa streetlights sa ilahang barangay. According to them, mostly ang report sa atoa kung hayag ang ilahang barangay less ang crimes such as riot, istambay sa mga batan-on diha sa mangitngit na lugar pero once na masugaan nato ang ilahang barangay seguro mahadlok na ni ang mga batanon na maghimo ug dili maayo sa ilahang barangay once na hayag ang ilahang palibot,” he said.

DBP... FROM 5

projects such as the acquisition of machinery and equipment, establishment of facilities for production and post-production, and establishment of intercropping and livestock/poultry integration in coconut farms.

He said the program adopts a blended financing scheme, where 75 percent of the loan will be financed by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF), and the remaining 25 percent will be financed using DBP funds. It offers a maximum loanable amount of up to 90 percent of the total project cost for project financing and relending.

“DBP is ready to provide financing to viable projects and will continue to work towards redefining the traditional approach to agriculture lending by putting greater emphasis on the value chain and business side of the spectrum,” de Jesus said. (PNA)