El Niño ‘wake-up call’ for W. Visayas to save energy

 

ILOILO CITY -- The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 (DENR-Western Visayas) said the region should pay attention to energy conservation, as it is currently confronted with El Niño.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned that almost all provinces in Western Visayas will experience dry spell and drought in April.

“It’s about time for everyone to help contribute to saving our environment and fight against climate change through conserving electricity,” said Rabbie Carvajal, chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit of DENR-EMB 6.

In a phone interview on Saturday, Carvajal said El Niño should be a “wake-up” call for all to join the efforts of the government and other organizations in saving the planet.

Jesse Vego, assistant regional director for Management Services of DENR 6, said the reduction of electricity consumption would lead to lesser carbon emissions.

Consuming less power will reduce the amount of fumes coming from power plants, which will help conserve natural resources.

Vego encouraged thousands of Ilonggos during the “One Time, Big Time” coastal cleanup to join the Earth Hour on Saturday night.

“We encourage all households to turn off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight,” he said.

The one-hour “lights off” aims to raise awareness on environmental conservation, Vego said.

Carvajal said the EMB-DENR 6 expects more participants to join this year’s Earth Hour in the region.

He said government officials, private individuals, business owners, the academe, among others, have committed to switch off their lights for an hour.

The effort should not end for a night, he added, as Earth Hour’s 60+ logo indicates that conserving energy should be a concern at all times.

Carvajal said the DENR-EMB will stage the Earth Hour event at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district.

Aside from conserving of electricity, EMB-DENR continues to urge the public to conserve water, segregate water properly, and to become active in joining environmental efforts. (PNA)

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