Lights switch off on March 23 for Earth Hour 2024 will have the iconic Manila Clock Tower as the majestic backdrop as the capital city serves as one of the hosts of one of the world’s largest annual global environmental awareness events.
The lights switch off this time around is matched with a “switch off” plastics campaign.
The Philippines’ observance of Earth Hour, led by WWF-Philippines and Manila, will be held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan, beside the Manila City Hall.
“As the country’s capital, we’re keen on using the influence we have in engaging other cities and Filipinos to do their part in saving the environment.”
“Manila is honored to be hosting this year’s Earth Hour celebration, especially with this year’s focus on eradicating plastic pollution. As the country’s capital, we’re keen on using the influence we have in engaging other cities and Filipinos to do their part in saving the environment,” Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said.
During the media launch at the Manila City Hall, Lacuna pointed out that the city “does not have a garbage crisis because waste collection has been effective, the daily waste collection in the capital is only up to 1,800 metric tons, that only about 163 metric tons is plastic waste, and the waste transfer station in the city is able to ship off the waste to its final destination.”
WWF Philippines said it has an ongoing waste segregation and collection project with the City of Manila. In the project, involved barangays identify 10 model households that practice waste segregation.
“Manila signed up to be a Plastic Smart City, which means they commit to 100% reduction in plastic waste leakage by 2030.”
WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio said, “Manila signed up to be a Plastic Smart City, which means they commit to 100% reduction in plastic waste leakage by 2030.”
”Like many around the world, Manila City believes that plastics do not belong in nature. The city has formulated and is implementing a program of action against marine litter and has an ordinance regulating the use of single-use plastics,” Custodio added.
Out of all the generated solid waste in the Philippines, plastic waste is the third largest, with 2,150,000 tonnes in 2019 alone, according to WWF Philippines.
