By Marivir R. Montebon

There have been steady baby steps of WFWPI’s climate action program in the Philippines.

Recently in May 2026, local sustainable expert in Cebu City Engr. Roberto Bajenting said the project on sustainable urban gardening has begun at the Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U) in partnership with WFWPI. CIT-U, through its president Engr. Bernard Villamor, and WFWPI, through UN Relations Director and Vice President for Administration Merly Barlaan, entered into a partnership in June 2025 in New York to institutionalize permaculture scholarships and regenerative farming practices. It is part of their commitment to localize the UN's Right to Development and Sustainable Development Goals on environmental and climate action and food security.

Bajenting, a lead trainer of the trailblazing project of the CIT-U, created a farm design appropriate for the CIT-U landscape which are circular plots. He designed two conjoined circles to form the 8 Infinity Garden. The farm will also be crossed with rectangular plots that's 4ft x 8ft for synergy. Bajenting is optimistic that the project will thrive. "Our agenda is padayon permaculture gisugdan sa CIT on Jan 24." He is closely working with Dr. Laarmi Feliscuzo, head of the Special Program on urban garden projects of CIT-U. Bajenting, a sustainable farming consultant, once served as provincial agrarian reform officer of Cebu until his retirement.

In January 2026, the Permaculture Education Summit and Immersion Tour kicked off in Cebu and Bohol to begin multi stakeholder engagements for school- and community-based economic and environmental programs. “The local action is so amazing and inspiring. Thank you for the continued vigor of Bobby Bajenting,” said New York-based Barlaan.

Cebu province, a premiere hub for commerce, education, and tourism, is facing intertwining problems of acute economic crisis and environmental safety and sustainability as an urban center in Central Philippines. Empowering local communities and educating the youth for sustainable farming and climate action is WFWPI’s goals as an NGO with 128 country members worldwide.

CIT-U Begins Urban Gardening Project with Local Experts and WFWPI