Philippine Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said on Saturday the country's first observance of "Earth Hour" environmental protection activity was successful.
The Philippine capital region observed a one-hour switch off from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, during which the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City was covered with darkness for one hour.
Organizations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Philippines, the Department of Energy and local government agencies organized a count-down ceremony in Pasay complex which is known as an environmental flagship of the Metro Manila known otherwise for serious pollution of air and water.
Officials of the organizations also conducted a signature campaign to show support to environment protection.
Shopping malls, the Manila City Hall, several streets and government buildings of the financial hub of Makati City also observed the Earth Hour, while the Roxas Boulevard along the Manila Bay also turned off lights for one hour.
Police were deployed to areas where thugs might victimize passersby, but no major accident has been reported.
Rising energy prices, worry about food supply shortage, abnormal weather phenomena and deteriorating environmental pollution were in the heads of millions of Filipinos as the nation observed the Earth Hour, initiated by WWF Australia last year.
Led by the Roman Catholic Church and government agencies, the five cities of the Philippine capital region were the first of the Philippines to do so.
The Manila Electric Co. would announce how much energy would be conserved when people switch off their lights and utilities for one hour.
Local business organizations also encouraged their employees and stock holders to join the activity.
Source:Xinhua
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