Malacañang threw its full support Saturday behind the Earth Hour as contribution to the worldwide anti-climate change campaign, as it also urged the public and firms to observe the one-hour switching off of lights, especially during the power shortage.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo pledged that the Philippines would remain as leading participant of the Earth Hour, which calls on private individuals, groups, and corporations to switch off lights for one hour. Initiated by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), it will be held on March 27, a Saturday, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

“Lalo na ngayon na nakakaranas tayo ng brown-outs, kailangan tayo ay magtipid sa kuryente kaya suportado natin ang pagtitipid sa kuryente (Especially now that we are experiencing brown-outs, we need to conserve electricity and we support this energy conservation measure),” he said in an interview on government-run DzRB.

Last year, the Philippines ranked first as the leading observer of the Earth Hour, following the participation of 640 cities and municipalities in the country. (Charissa Luci)