Yolanda-hit towns to join Earth Hour

CEBU, Philippines - Three towns in northern Cebu which bore the brunt of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013 will support tonight’s Earth Hour.

Daanbantayan, San Remigio and Medellin confirmed participation in the annual initiative.

San Remigio, for one, will kick off its activities with a cleanup at the town’s coastal areas. Tonight, a formal countdown will be held at its sports complex until the clock strikes 8:30.

Mayor Mariano Martinez told The Freeman it is the first time the town, as a whole, will join Earth Hour create awareness on climate change and importance of energy conservation among its residents.

“Kinahanglan gyod ang paglimpyo ug protection sa atong environment,” he said, adding, lessons from Yolanda encouraged them to participate in the global lights-off event.

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro also shared the same sentiments, saying the typhoon was a wake-up call for everyone in the town.

“We experienced Yolanda because of climate change,” he said.

The town’s countdown for the Earth Hour will be held at its cultural center with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office, the Mayor’s Office, A2D Project and United Nation’s Children Fund Philippines spearheading the activity.

A photo campaign contest dubbed as #BindingTreatyNow is among the activities tonight in Daanbantayan.

“Super typhoon Yolanda marked a scar in Daanbantayan and left us healing until now. We are continually threatened by natural hazards such as typhoons caused by the alarming increase of climate change. Because of this, it is a high time for Daanbantayan to make a stand and call for climate justice,” Daanbantayan posted in its official Facebook account.

“We are calling everyone to participate in this activity. Let us turn our lights off together this March 28. One hour can already make a big difference! Do not be selfish, give back and learn from what ?#ýTyphoonYolanda taught us,” it added.

Meanwhile, also on Facebook, Medellin confirmed its commitment to tonight’s activity.

“FUNtastic Medellin joins Earth Hour 2015. We encourage everyone to switch off your lights for one hour on Saturday, March 28 (8:30PM-9:30PM) and commit to responsible action beyond the hour,” the post reads. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/JMO (FREEMAN)