Main Development: Argao inventor Roberto Bajenting, 82, and CIT-University students showcased a low-cost, eco-friendly liquid organic fertilizer at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Compound on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Accountability/Conflict: The plant-based fertilizer serves as a natural alternative to counter commercial products, as Bajenting noted that farmers used to buy expensive synthetic fertilizers that damage soil and plants.
Public Impact & Data: Made from seaweed and various local leaves through a week-long process, the fertilizer highlights agricultural cost-saving to help make fresh produce inexpensive for communities.
At 82 years old, Roberto Bajenting is proving that you are never too old to save the environment. The inventor from Argao recently teamed up with college students to showcase a cheap, eco-friendly liquid fertilizer that could change how local farmers grow their crops.
The invention was put on display at the Heritage Park of the Cebu Provincial Capitol Compound on Friday, June 5, 2026, as part of the World Environment Day celebration.
Bajenting, who has been practicing organic farming for more than 20 years, wants to solve a major problem that local farmers face every day: the high cost of commercial farming products.
"Farmers used to buy expensive synthetic fertilizer which can damage the soil and plant," Bajenting said.
To fix this, Bajenting worked with students from the Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CIT-U). Together, they developed a liquid organic fertilizer made entirely from plant materials. It takes just one week to process and offers a safe, natural alternative to harsh chemicals.
The fertilizer uses easily available natural ingredients, including:
Guava leaves
Malunggay leaves
Mulberry leaves
Avocado leaves
Papaya leaves
Seaweed
For Bajenting, the event was the perfect chance to show people how to use the plants in their own backyards to live more sustainably. He believes that protecting nature should also help people save money.
"In agriculture, cost-saving is important, how to make fresh produce inexpensive," Bajenting said.
His display was one of the main highlights of the World Environment Day celebration, which carried the theme “Lihok Na, Karon Na” (Act Now, Right Now). The day-long campaign brought together eco-advocates, innovators, businesses, and government groups to talk about protecting nature.
The event was organized by Maria Rosario Ballescas, the coordinator of the Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE ESD) Cebu, along with several partner groups. Their goal was to spread awareness about taking care of the earth and to inspire communities to act together.
To make the event happen, RCE ESD teamed up with the Cebu Provincial Government, the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concern, and Kaabag sa Sugbo. More than 30 civil society organizations, local schools, government units, and religious groups also joined the cause.
By mixing old-school farming wisdom with new ideas from young students, innovators like Bajenting are showing Cebu that the best solutions for the future are often grown right at home.Justin John U. Bugtai, CNU Intern
