Eco group: Make everyday Earth Day

As the Philippines celebrates Earth Day on Monday, an environment coalition urged the public to make everyday "Earth Day." Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP), a network of government and non-government organizations, said Filipinos to “do green acts on a daily basis." The Philippines is celebrating Earth Day on Monday after President Benigno Aquino signed Administrative Order No. 12, signed on April 19, moving the celebration of Earth Day celebration this year to the first working day after the Holy Week. Earth Day, April 22, coincided with Good Friday. Advance celebration An advance celebration of Earth Day was held at the SM Megamall on April 19. One of the highlights was the signing of a memorandum among 33 barangays, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Quezon City government, and non-government organizations for the rehabilitation of the Diliman Creek, one of the major branches of the Pasig River. Part of the fête was the SANDIWANG (Isang Diwa sa Pagdiriwang para sa Kalikasan), an Earth day interfaith gathering for the “healing of our Earth," held on Sunday at the Peacebelle, Quezon City Memorial Circle. Also part of the celebration was "Earth Jam 2011," a free concert featuring bands such as 6Cyclemind, Imago, The Dawn, and many others, that will be held on May 6 at the SM Mall of Asia. Initiated by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, Earth Day is a global celebration observed worldwide aimed at promoting the rehabilitation of the environment. A month before Earth Day celebration, on March 26, more than 5,000 cities across the globe switched off their lights for the annual Earth hour, a movement launched in 2007 to increase awareness about climate change, considered the biggest environmental problem facing the world. - Suzette Dalumpines, VVP, GMA News