Meralco Foundation, Inc. (MFI) and SEAFDEC embarked on a joint venture to put up a training center, the Aquaculture Based Countryside Development Enterprise Foundation (ABCDEF), Inc.
The training center is based in Barangay Punta, Jala-Jala, Rizal where the MFI fisheries and the Jala-Jala Farm School are located.
The proximity of the complex to Laguna de Bay makes it an ideal venue for training students on the right procedure in breeding fish in lakes, like carp, tilapia, milkfish, catfish and other bay products.
Emphasis will be given also to the proper care of the environment while learning the practical way of growing fish in the lake.
According to Col. Alex T. Escaño, chairman and president of ABCDEF, students from the Don Mariano Marcos Foundation are currently undergoing OJT (on-the-job training) at the complex. The complex offers a complete facilities, like classrooms, dormitories for stay-ins , canteen, recreation and chapel.
Earlier, two batches of students from the Rizal and Leyte State Universities undergo OJT at the same venue.
The complex, comprising a cluster of wide concrete fish ponds and hatcheries, is capable of producing 1.5 million fry per month for client fish farmers.
The course will include also lectures on lake resources management, lake ecology and biodiversity, water quality and monitoring, lake zoning and allocation, lake aquaculture, socio economics, national policies/laws, institutional arrangement, community organizing, fish processing and credit/financing.
For more information, please get in touch with the Training Coordinator, SEAFDEC-AQD at 17 Times St., West Triangle, Q.C. with telephone no. 372-9133.