DAGUPAN City is set to further strengthen its position as the bangus capital with the opening in July of the Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) within the 24-hectare National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) in Bonuan Binloc.

Asian Fisheries Academy

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Fisheries Research Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said if activities are accomplished according to plans, the most modern training facility for fisheries throughout the country will be ready to open its doors by next month to both local and foreign trainees.

The AFA was conceived by officials of the BFAR led by Director Malcolm Sarmiento and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. who bankrolled the construction of the academy’s initial building facility at a cost of P30 million.

The government of Japan, through its embassy in Manila, extended an additional P15 million grant for the furnishings of the academy.

Rosario commended De Venecia for being the chief benefactor of the NIFTDC. The re-elected congressional representative for the Fourth District earlier funded the establishment of the Philippine Bangus Center as well as the country’s first ever live fish market, similar to those existing in Indonesia and Thailand.

“We will first train Filipinos as fishery technicians. But once a year, we will offer the training to international groups,” Rosario said.

He said while AFA seeks to promote the Philippines as center of fisheries and aquaculture technology in Asia and the world, the trainings will also serve as a means by which the institution can raise money in order to become self-sufficient in its operation.–LM

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