FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 3159 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Earth Hour is an annual worldwide activity that aims to stir awareness towards 
the need to take a stand on climate change by turning off non-essential lights for an 
hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., every last Saturday of March. 
This event is a 
brainchild of World Wide Fund for Nature and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, 
where 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated. It has been adopted by several 
other cities around the world, including Manila, in 2008. 
The first time the Philippines participated in said event, it registered a drop in power 
consumption by about 78.63 megawatts in Metro Manila and up to 102.2 megawatts in 
Luzon. In 2009, the country was able to save 611 MWh of electricity, the equivalent of 
shutting down a dozen coal-fired power plants for an hour. The following years has 
seen the active and invaluable participation of the country in the said event. 
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that "The State shall protect 
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
the rhythm and harmony of nature" and as such the State shall encourage measures 
that will help resuscitate a failing environment by rousing the consciousness of its 
citizens on efforts of environmental conservation and protection. 
This proposed measure seeks to raise awareness on climate change by requiring 
everyone to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour every last Saturday of the 
month from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., during which the demand for energy consumption 
shall be limited, therefore optimistically reducing the production of greenhouse gases 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
e/L.C-) 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPI.!? / 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 3159 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH AS EARTH HOUR. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Monthly Earth Hour 
Act of 2012." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
reaffirm the fundamental right of every person to a balanced and healthful ecology in 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
SEC. 3. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. -
the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of 
Education (DepEd), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the 
Philippine 
Information 
Agency 
(PIA), 
in 
coordination 
with 
Non-governmental 
Organizations (NGOs) shall conduct a nationwide information, education and 
communication (IEC) campaign in order to inform the general public on the need to 
conserve energy and to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate 
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change by asking them to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour every last 
Saturday of the month from 8:30 p,m. to 9:30 p.m. 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR). - Within six (6) months from 
the date of effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in consultation with the DepEd and DILG 
shall promulgate necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause.- If any provision or part thereof of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause.- All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved. 
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