By Marivir Montebon

New York - The lofty sustainable development goals espoused by WFWPI are looking vigorous on the ground. Thanks to local WFWPI partners in the Philippines.

At 82, sustainable agriculture expert Roberto Bajenting is still the action man, training the youth on regenerative farming in Cebu. Carmen municipal agriculturist Arlene Cabusao in Bohol has been relentless in training farmers on permaculture, designing small farms towards biodiversity.

During WFWPI's 1st Permaculture Education Summit and Immersion Adventure, Cabusao led farmers in Carmen, home to the geological wonder UNESCO geopark Chocolate Hills, in showing women leadership in planting trees and sampling on food from their own gardens.

I could still remember the delicious taste of ube flan made by Cabusao from authentic and fresh ube which only Bohol soil can produce.

Bajenting meanwhile is teaming up with students of the Cebu Institute of Technology University in creating a small urban garden within the school premises. Since we left Cebu after the 1st Permaculture Summit, Bajenting had been relentless.

In celebration of the World Environment Day 2026, Bajenting introduced a low-cost liquid organic fertilizer at the Heritage Park of the Cebu Provincial Capitol on June 5, 2026. The event was themed "Lihok na, Karon na," (Act now), and featured local organizations and businesses that are promoting environmentally-sound projects and enterprises.

This liquid fertilizer will be an input to the production of herbs and plants of the CIT-U urban gardens.

Bajenting, a native of Argao, told local media that he developed the liquid organic fertilizer as an alternative to expensive commercial fertilizers which are known to be harmful to soil and produce.

Bajenting's liquid fertilizer is made of readily available natural ingredients such as malunggay, avocado, papaya, seaweed, guava leaves, and mulberry.

"We hope that other schools and young people will follow this innovative path," he said.

To address Cebu's garbage crisis and food needs, sustainable technology experts like Bajenting have been insisting on circling back to nature by promoting zero-waste management systems from home and engaging in regenerative farming.

In Bohol, Cabusao has steadily promoted her sustainable agriculture pursuits on social media. Her key message "support farmers as you're still eating" has given people the wake up call to go back to nature and treat farmers with respect and give them support.

World Environment Day 2026: Shout Out to Local Expert Partners Who Walk the Talk