ILOILO — Ilonggos are being urged to switch off non-essential electricity use during Earth Hour 2026 as surging fuel prices and a possible energy crisis threaten to drive up the cost of basic goods across the province.
The Iloilo Provincial Government, through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), is pushing for mаss participation in the “Ligum-Dulom Year 4 Celebration” on March 28, stressing that even small reductions in power consumption can help ease pressure on both the economy and the environment.
Earth Hour is a global environmental campaign launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 2007 in Sydney, where millions switched off their lights for one hour to raise awareness on climate change. Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s largest grassroots movements, observed annually in over 190 countries as a symbolic call for collective action to protect the planet.
Forester Mitzi Peñaflorida, head of the Environmental Programs and Management Services Division of PGENRO, said the Iloilo Provincial Capitol will lead the one-hour shutdown from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., switching off non-essential electricity and equipment as a symbolic but critical act of conservation.
A program will be held ahead of the switch-off at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds starting at 5 p.m.
Peñaflorida said advisories have already been cascaded to Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENROs), with officials expecting all local government units (LGUs) to participate.
She also called on households to take part by switching off non-essential lights during the designated hour.
“Can’t join us at the Capitol? You can still be part of this global movement from the comfort of your home. Switch off your non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and show your commitment to protecting our planet earth,” Peñaflorida said.
Peñaflorida stressed that the ongoing energy crisis and weekly fuel price hikes are expected to trigger a domino effect on essential commodities, including food and other goods.
“Kabay nga tanan kita mangin responsable nga mapa-hagan-hagan ang pagnubo ka aton economy. Please help conserve and protect sang aton sources of energy. At the household level please turn-off unnecessary lights, unplug unused appliances, conserve water, buy only what is needed. These are simple acts but if tanan kita mag hulag dako ang impact niya sa aton economy and environment,” she added.
Participants attending the Capitol event are encouraged to bring one seed from a native or fruit-bearing tree as part of registration in support of Project L.I.S.O. (Locally Intensified Seeds/Seedlings collection One4TanumIloilo).
The initiative aims to instill behavioral change among Ilonggos toward sustainable tree production supporting the province’s greening efforts and promoting the propagation of native and fruit-bearing species./PN
