As extreme heat, worsening floods, and rising electricity bills continue to affect households, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging Filipinos to take part in Earth Hour as a simple but meaningful step toward protecting the environment.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna said environmental problems are no longer distant concerns but are now part of everyday life. Many families are already feeling the effects through hotter weather, more frequent flooding, and higher energy costs.
Acting on the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government is strengthening efforts to address these challenges. These include cleaning waterways to help prevent floods, improving flood control systems, ensuring access to clean water, and managing natural resources more carefully. The goal is to make communities safer while helping keep household expenses more stable.
At the same time, the DENR emphasized that government action alone is not enough. Public participation plays a key role in addressing environmental and energy challenges.
For Earth Hour 2026, Filipinos are encouraged to switch off lights and unplug appliances that are not in use for one hour. While the action may seem small, doing it together can reduce overall electricity demand, ease pressure on the power system, and lessen environmental impact.
The observance serves as a reminder that everyday choices—like how energy is used at home—can make a difference. In a country like the Philippines, where climate impacts are strongly felt, Earth Hour highlights how closely linked energy use, environmental protection, and daily life have become.
