The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a corporate-led social development foundation, and a supporting partner of Earth Hour Philippines, calls on the private sector to look at energy conservation initiatives for their businesses all year round and urges companies to do more beyond switching off lights for 60 minutes.
“As part of our Corporate Citizenship advocacy, PBSP encourages companies to look at operational efficiencies to manage their solid waste and minimize energy consumption,” says Lopa. “By advocating for the reduction of our carbon footprint, natural resources are better utilized and our vulnerability especially our less fortunate countrymen and women to disasters and climate change risks are decreased,” PBSP Executive Director, Rafael C. Lopa explains. “We definitely encourage our member companies and their families to support Earth Hour [tomorrow] by switching off non-essential lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Participating in this annual event, reminds us that there should be a conscious and deliberate effort to find ways and means to reduce our carbon footprint in our homes and in our workplaces.”
Last year, other PBSP member-companies Ramcar Group of Companies-Motolite, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., SM Investments Corp., Jollibee Foods Corp., SGV & Co., Isla Lipana, PLDT, the Aboitiz Group, Union Bank of the Philippines, IBM Philippines, Inc., HSBC Philippines, Unilever, First Philippine Holdings, Corp., Yutivo Corp., and the Bellevue Hotel Manila also supported Earth Hour Philippines by switching off lights at their offices.
Perhaps through these efforts, Earth Hour will become more than just an hour once a year. It will become a daily habit.