CHI switched off lights for Earth Hour 2009

Believing in the principle that sustainable development and environmental protection is the basic framework towards continuous growth and progress, Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) remains to focus its business systems within this standard.

With the recent Earth Hour event, Cebu Holdings Inc. joined the global community in the observance of Earth Hour by switching off non-essential lights and equipment in all its managed properties for one hour as its way of supporting the campaign to raise awareness and avert climate change.

During the one hour switch off, CHI saved 7074.5 kilowatts of power which is equivalent to 1961.5 kg of CO2. Participating properties include Cebu Business Park, Asiatown I.T. Park, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Life-FGU Center, Park Towers One and Two, Cebu Holdings Center, Garden Ridge Village and Amara.

Some 613 Earth Votes was gathered by CHI during its online voting campaign last March 28. Computers stationed at the Ayala Center Cebu allowed mall goers to go online from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and vote for Mother Earth.

The online voting is in support of Earth Vote which is the first global election between earth and global warming. It seeks to gather one billion people to pledge their support using their light switch as their vote. Results of the Ayala Center Earth Vote will be submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE).

Graffiti walls were also set up near the Earth Hour booth at the Ayala Activity Center where shoppers wrote environment friendly messages of commitment and support for Earth Hour. Shoppers entering selected Ayala Center Cebu parking areas were also given Earth Hour stickers.

CHI president Francis Monera led the ceremonial switch off at The Terraces together with Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Edward Gaisano, and City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete.

As the lights at Ayala Center Cebu and Cebu Business Park powered down upon switch off, candles and glow sticks lit The Terraces while solar powered lamps lit the walkways leading to Cebu Holdings Center. The symbolic use of solar powered lamps is in support to DOE’s campaign to use renewable energy as alternative energy source.

Celebrating its 20th year in the real estate business, CHI has always been conscious of the socio-environmental aspects and impacts of its operations. Its support to the Earth Hour advocacy is aligned with the company’s commitment to sustainable development as embodied in its Environment and Health and Safety (EHS) Policy.