World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), organizer of Earth Hour, said a total of 1,671 towns, cities, provinces and municipalities in the Philippines joined the one-hour switch-off last March 31. This is higher than the 1,661 areas recorded last year.
“We are delighted to clinch the top spot for the fourth year in a row,” Earth Hour Philippines national director Atty. Gia Ibay said in a statement on Monday. “More than the numbers, though, Earth Hour espouses the importance of our actions beyond the hour.”
The Philippines has been declared a “Hero Country,” or number one globally in terms of Earth Hour participation, since 2009.
This year’s main switch-off ceremonies in the Philippines were held in Makati, Cebu and Davao.
Organizers estimated that at least 362 MWh were saved by Filipinos during the hour-long event.
“My challenge is not about this next hour, but about what we will be doing in the next days, months and years to come,” President Benigno Aquino III said during the opening rites last Saturday.
A total of 6,525 cities, towns, provinces and municipalities in 150 countries and territories joined this year’s Earth Hour, the highest level so far.
The theme for Earth Hour 2012 is “I Will If You Will” as organizers strive to encourage people to make a personal commitment to help save the environment.
Source : By ABS-CBNnews.com
