Metro Cebu logs 0.573MW load drop on Earth Hour

CEBU, Philippines — The Earth Hour 2023 has reduced power consumption by 0.573 megawatt within the franchise area of Visayan Electric.

Quennie Sanchez-Bronce, Visayan Electric’s Reputation and Enhancement Department head, said it was their lowest load drop since 2015 wherein it recorded a load drop of 4.631 megawatt.

Visayan Electric is the second largest electric utility in the Philippines.

It serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga and four municipalities of the greater part of Metro Cebu -- Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla and San Fernando.

The Department of Energy earlier enjoined the public in observing the Earth Hour, an annual global movement that aims to raise awareness on climate change and pressing environmental concerns.

“The conscientious and mindful use of energy is not only our responsibility to ourselves and the country but more importantly to our Mother Earth,” said DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, in a statement, adding that “sixty minutes of your time would already create a significant impact in contributing to reverse nature loss and a achieve a climate-resilient future”.

According to earthhour.com, the Earth Hour is the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment. Earth Hour is flagship global environmental movement of the World Wildlife Fund.

“Kagabie, nahimo kitang kabahin sa usa ka mahinungdanong kalihukan nga gibuhat sa tibuok kalibutan nga mao ang Earth Hour. Ma-gobyerno o pribado, naghiusa gayud nga makab-ot hiniusang tumong nga mao ang paghatag og kahigayonan nga mahatagan og 60 minutos nga makaginhawa ang kalibutan pinaagi sa pagpalong sa tanan natong mga suga,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan.

The activity in the city was spearheaded by the mayor, his wife, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Cindi King-Chan, together with the members of the City Council, the Philippine National Police and some department heads.

In Cordova town, Mayor Cesar Suan thanked the municipal employees and officials for participating in the Earth Hour by switching off the lights at the municipal hall, as well as the town’s residents in their respective homes.

The Earth Hour, Lotilla added is an annual symbolic lights-out that started in Sydney, Australia in 2017.

This year’s Earth Hour in-person happened Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Lotilla added that the Earth Hour also serves as an opportune reminder how simple everyday practices could have a great impact on bringing down our energy consumption level.

These simple everyday practices include minimizing the use of electricity during peak hours at 11 a.m. to 12 noon, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. as well as keeping air conditioners at 25 degrees centigrade.

“Behavioral change may seem like a challenge but there are relatively simple things that we as residents, businesses and local governments can do to be energy efficient, increase resilience to climate change and pave the way to a more sustainable future,” the energy chief further said. — GMR (FREEMAN)