San Carlos City government thru the City Environment Management Office (CEMO) conducted the annual global Earth Hour last night, March 23 to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

The CEMO held the event in front of San Carlos City Hall anchored on the theme: “Give an Hour for Earth” with participating groups from San Carlos Environmentalist Farmers and Workers Association (SCEFWA) of Brgy. V, San Carlos City Hard Core Trail Runners (SCCHCTR), San Carlos City Bikers, and Team Ewit.

A ceremonial lights-off countdown took place, followed by a symbolic march where participants carried LED wristbands and improvised light sticks made of recyclable materials like plastic bottles, while SCCHCTR volunteer runners picked up trash along the way and bikes with LED lights glowed in the night, keeping with Earth Hour’s tradition of using light accessories to highlight sustainability efforts.

San Carlos City Mayor Renato Y. Gustilo was present at the event.

Engr. Loreto Sanchez, CENRO I, said it is important for the city to join such events to raise awareness and help conserve energy by turning the lights off even just for an hour.

He is also hoping people will make it a habit to save energy, whether it’s Earth Hour or not, since Earth Hour is a global effort.

SCCHCTR Member Jaime Flores said their group started in 2012, and aside from exercising, they also help the environment by picking up trash along the road. He hopes other runners will be inspired to do the same.

San Carlos City was the Philippines’ One-Planet-City finalist in 2016, which led to its recognition as the 4th World’s Most Lovable City by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) due to its significant environmental contributions.

Also present at the event were SP Member Armando Laguda Jr., City Environment Management Office IEC Team Leader Marietta Lomocso, and CEMO staff.

*Please watch the video of this news event and other stories thru #VAMOSNewsSanCarlos over the Youtube channel and at Parasat TV channel 2 every Saturday at 7 PM