Major citiies in Mindanao are set to make a history as officials of these cities are preparing to join the Earth Hour 2012. The city participants are sending thousands of biodegradable lanterns to the air for the mass switching off of lights from industrial plants, business establishments and households from 7:30-8:30 pm this March 31, 2012.

Participating cities include Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Davao and Butuan. Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative spearheaded by the World Wildlife Fund and Leo Burnett which began on 2007 until it reached 1.8 billion participating people from 135 countries in 2011 earning the claim to be the largest campaign for the planet in the world!

Earth Hour started in the Philippines in 2008. With over 18 million participants, it has emerged to be one of the largest events in the country.

Officials in this region's frontier city led by Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Y. Emano are preparing for this big event.

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. and Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas are also spearheading the big event in their respective cities.