Central Negros Electric Cooperative recorded a drop of 7.45 megawatts of power from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Saturday night during the earth hour celebration.

Ceneco president Arnel Lapore, said they were able to save 29.275 megawatts of power from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. last year when government offices, business establishments and some residents switched off their lights for the earth hour celebration.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddues Sayson and Colegio San Agustin College of Engineering dean Fely Altalaguire led the ceremonial switch-off of lights at SM City Bacolod at 8:30 p.m. Saturday that was participated in by different sectors who made their pledge of commitment to conserve energy and protect the environment.

Leonardia said, “We take this matter very seriously and we are always conscious about climate change and what we can do to see to it that this is not going to create more damage to our Mother Earth.”

The Negros Occidental Provincial Government, represented by Alet Munez, head of the Provincial Environment and Management Office, committed to do its shareto conserve and rehabilitate the environment.

Muñez read the pledge of commitment of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. that said, “In line with the Negros First agenda, the province and its 31 component local governments are committed to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and to assisting vulnerable communities to adapt to erratic climate patterns.

Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the city is committed to reduce green house emission in Bacolod and support moves to reduce carbon footprints in the Philippines. They have also passed several ordinances in the fight against global warming, he said.

Bea Bachinela, Organic Negros Producers and Retailers Association executive director, said they hope to make Negros Occidental, not only the organic bowl of the Philippines, but also of Asia.

Councilor Sonya Verdeflor encouraged the public to start energy conservation in their homes and, by supporting earth hour, switch off their lights for one hour every year.

Councilor Em Ang said shewill refuse plastic bags and will continue planting more trees, while Councilor Archie Baribar committed to plant more trees and asked the public to join the fight against illegal loggers.

Others who also pledged their commitment of support were representatives of the Philippine Institue of Civl Engineer, the United Architects of the Philippines, a representative of Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez,Negros Bloggers, Trisikad Drivers and Operators Center,SM City, youth and the students of the University of St. La Salle and Colegio de San Agustin.

Meanwhile, SM marketing officer Nep Grandea said SM City Bacolod will host the Earth Day 2012 celebration on April 16 to 22 that will be led by Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Em Ang.

Grandea said they will also spearhead activities like the clean-up of sewerage systems in municipalities and cities in Negros Occidental, in cooperation with Kid Bañas of the Negros Occidental for Climate Change, head of the Earth Day convenors 2012.

SM will also host an Earth Day exhibit from April 16 to 22, a 3-kilometer run on April 21 at 6 a.m. at SM Bacolod, and an earth day walk on April 27 headed by the Couples for Christ, he said.*CGS

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