By Ma. Bernadette A. Parco, Cebu Daily News, First Posted 08:44:00 03/29/09
For one hour last night, lights went off in Cebu city landmarks, parks, shopping malls, hotels and resorts to participate in the global celebration of Earth Hour. About 24 megawatts were saved in Metro Cebu alone for the two Saturdays leading up to yesterday’s event, according to the Visayan Electric Power Co. (Veco).
“This is enough energy to power 24 municipalities,” said Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival.
The switch-off was participated by ecology-conscious advocates in Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay.
“This is the people's call to business, government and political leaders asking them to do something to combat climate change,” said Undersecretary Roy Kyamko of the Department of Engergy. As lights in SM City Cebu were turned off in half of the mall, a countdown was made for the ceremonial turning on of solar lamps for a campaign to use renewable energy.
