EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
r r 
ic.’ .
S E N A T E
'V . ' 
;-?tl;r £.>•’• rri«r;»
'19 
AUG 13 P I -10
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
DECLARING THE LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH 
AS EARTH HOUR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Earth Hour is an annual worldwide activity that aims to raise awareness on 
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. The first time the 
Philippines participated in Earth Hour, there was a registered drop in power consumption 
by about 78.63 megawatts in Metro Manila and up to 102.2 megawatts in Luzon. The 
Philippines has been recognized for being the top participant in Earth Hour with 1,671 
cities, municipalities, towns, and provinces joining the event.
Participation in this global initiative supports state policy as set out in Section 16 of 
Article II of the Constitution, stating 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". It is therefore state policy to enact measures that will help resuscitate a failing 
environment by rousing the consciousness of its citizens on efforts geared towards 
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.
■-ITO" M. LAPID
T - 
Senator


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
C1** -»'• ii****.
s. No. 900
.■'>,/© C uf A Ml' S ’-rccmp
'Ip AUG 13 PI :11
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. f;.apid
AN ACT
DECLARING THE LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH 
AS EARTH HOUR
Be it enacted in the Senate and House of Representatives o f the Philippines 
in the Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as the "Monthly Earth Hour
Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f 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 (lEC) campaign in order to inform the general public of and raise 
awareness on the need to conserve energy as a means to combat climate change and 
other related environmental concerns by promoting the practice of turning off non- 
essential lights for one hour every last Saturday of the month from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 
p.m.


2
3
4
5
1
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within six (6) months 
from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in consultation with the DepEd and 
the DILG, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act.
7 
SEC. 5. Appropriations Clause. — The amount necessary to implement the
8 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 7. 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. 8. 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.
22
Approved,