At SM City Cebu’s observance of Earth Hour 2019, a black wall stands as a space for people to leave their neon handpaints that signifies their pledges to protect the planet. CDND Photo / IMMAE LACHICA
CEBU CITY — More Cebuanos switched off their lights this year to observe Earth Hour.
This is evident in the total demand drop of 3.6 megawatts (MW), which was recorded by the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) in its franchise area for the one-hour duration of Earth Hour 2019.
This is close to 1 MW higher than the total demand drop of 2.695 MW recorded in 2018.
Lights were turned off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night, March 30, 2019.
Earth Hour is a global movement that calls to action every person’s pledge to protect the planet.
Quennie Sanchez-Bronce, Veco reputation enhancement manager, said they recorded the total demand drop for the entire duration of Earth Hour in the past five years.
These are: 2.695 MW in 2018; 3.102 MW in 2017; 2.839 MW in 2016; 4.631 MW in 2015; and 3.025 MW in 2014.
Veco serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga and the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanillla and San Fernando.
It is the second largest electric utility firm in the Philippines. /celr