Top officials of Petron Foundation Inc. and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department have signed an agreement for the joint implementation of the P3-million project on milkfish cage culture for the oil spill-affected Guimaras fisherfolk, a press release from SEAFDEC/AQD said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing rites between AQD chief Joebert Toledo and Petron Foundation Inc. chairman and CEO Nicasio Alcantara and president Khalid Al-Faddagh held last Friday at the Petron Library Hub in San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras. The agreement stipulates that Petron Foundation will provide funds for the construction and operation of three fish cages for milkfish culture and one boat amounting to P3.059 million, the press release said.

The sum of P168,000 has also been set aside for the allowance of a technician and feeders selected from the community. Around P300,000 has been allotted as logistical support to AQD for the training of feeders, technology transfer to beneficiaries, and for the management and supervision of the 12-month project.

AQD, for its part will, among other things, provide an area in its Igang Marine Substation for the project, help source out beneficiaries and provide on-site training on the culture of milkfish in floating cages, and administer the technical, administrative and financial aspects of the project, the press release added.*

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