MFI Foundation

MFI Foundation Inc.

Formation	November 6,1973
Type	Non-stock, Non-Profit Working Science Foundation
Legal status	Foundation
Purpose	Technical-Vocational Education Scholarship and Training; Agri-business Education and Training
Headquarters	MFI Bldg.
Location	Ortigas Avenue, 1605, Pasig City, Philippines
Website	www.mfi.org.ph

MFI Foundation Inc. (formerly Meralco Foundation, Inc.) is a non-stock, non-profit science foundation that has provided quality training and education in the Philippines for more than 30 years. Guided by its goal to see every Filipino pursuing a dignified and gainful living, MFI reaches out to serve in both the industry and agricultural sectors.

MFI fulfills its noble purpose through these operation centers: the MFI Technological Institute and the MFI Farm Business Institute.

MFI is an ISO 9001:2000 certified organization and recognized as a “Model Center of Excellence” by the Asean Economic Minsters-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee, as attested by the Department of Trade and Industry Center for Industrial Competitiveness in industrial, technical and vocational education.

Centers of Operation

MFI Technological Institute

The MFI Technological Institute (formerly Meralco Foundation Institute) oversees MFI’s flagship program - the Industrial Technician Program (ITP) which offers post-secondary, non-degree courses on industrial technologies especially to less privileged students. These courses are offered with scholarship on selective basis.

MFI-TI is also home to the MFI Training Program which offers certificate short courses for people who are already in the workforce. MFI Training is available under the following technologies: Automotive/RAC, Electrical, Electronics, IT, Instrumentation, and Mechanical (tool and die), and also on soft skills training like human resource development programs and interventions. Aside from its main branch in Ortigas, quality MFI training is also available at MFI-TI’s newest branch in Calamba, Laguna. MFI-TI also co-manages the Tarlac Training Center which is situated at the Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac City.

MFI Farm Business Institute

The MFI Farm Business Institute, currently an institute in its formative stage, aims to provide quality education and training programs for the agri-business sector, and to serve as a catalyst in the development of agri-entrepreneurship. It addresses the growing need for both formal and non-formal education in the agri-business sector which will help transform the farmer into a farmer entrepreneur. It targets individuals and communities from all economic strata, gender, age, educational and professional background. Its proposed human resource development programs for the agri-business sector are geared towards industry and enterprise development that will pave the way towards community economic development. MFI-FBI operates the Jala-Jala Farmers’ Training Center in Brgy. Punta, Jala-Jala, Rizal. It also supports the Bais Family Farm School in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

Special Projects

Tribong MFI

Tribong MFI was born out of concern for the less privileged who cannot afford medical and dental services. Volunteerism thrives in the hearts of MFI officers, scholars and staff and it paves the way for MFI to extend its goodwill to the needy. Launched in year 2000, Tribong MFI events are a tripartite venture with Local Government Units (LGUs), and volunteer doctors and dentists from private and government sectors. Our medical missions are held periodically in various community sites in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. To date, Tribong MFI has served more than 150,000 patients through the distribution of general medicine and through pulmonary examinations, pediatric care, de-worming, ECG, X-ray, circumcision, and dental services.

Mission Statement and Quality Policy

MFI is a foundation that provides quality education and technical training anchored on work values to enable Filipinos, especially the less privileged, to be productive and competitive, utilizing appropriate technologies particularly in industry and agriculture. With its competent and dedicated staff and a network of operating centers linked with other institutions, MFI commits to S.E.R.V.E. (Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Resourcefulness, Values-centeredness, and Excellence)

MFI is committed to be the center of excellence in technical training, education and other services. It shall continually improve its policies, people, processes, facilities and technologies to anticipate and satisfy the expectation of its customers and regulatory body. In its pursuit to be the leading institution, its quality objectives shall be jointly reviewed, formulated and clearly communicated to all its stakeholders.

History

Starting from an investment holding company in 1973, MFI evolved into its true purpose as a fully operating science foundation that provides funding and vocational – technical education to Filipinos. The foundation implements this mission with its operating arm, the MFI Technological Institute ( formerly referred as the Meralco Foundation Institute ), with its flagship programs: the Industrial Technician Program ( ITP ), a post-secondary, non-degree course; and the MFI Training, Technical Short Courses and Human Resource Development Programs.

Historical Time Line

1970s

Year	Significance
1973	MFI comes into being as a duly registered, non-stock, non-profit foundation organized for the broadening of Meralco's ownership base and the pursuit of socially-oriented projects.
1975	MFI registers as a granting science foundation under the National Science Development Board, enabling it to sponsor scholarships. It enters into a partnership with the Rizal Provincial Government for the establishment of a school for technician training.
1976	MFI and the Rizal Provincial Government launch the Rizal Technological Colleges – Institute of Industrial Technology.
1978	The Institute of Industrial Technology is transferred to the Manila Technician Institute, with MFI managing a scholarship program funded by the Philippine Business for Social Progress.
1979	MFI transforms itself into an operating science foundation, duly recognized by the National Science Development Board and allowed to run its own programs and projects. The first batch of MFI scholars graduate from the three-year technician programs in mechanical and electrical technology at the Manila Technical Institute.

1980s

Year	Significance
1980	MFI together with the Center for Research and Communication and the National Science Development Board, organizes the pivotal Skilled Manpower for the Eighties Congress. Among the significant resolutions from this forum is the need to develop middle-level technical manpower. The Meralco Foundation Center for Manpower Resources ( MFCMR ) is conceived as an offshoot of the Congress, to serve as a bridge between the users and suppliers of manpower and a center for skills and human development.
1981	MFI formally launches its first three programs: the Technical Training and Testing Program ( TTTP ); the Research, Conferences and Publications Program ( RCPP ); and the Information Systems and Placement Program ( ISPP )
1982	MFI launches the Tilapia Fish Cage Research Project to benefit 1,000 marginal fishermen in Jalajala, Rizal. MFI partners with Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City and establishes the Xavier University Center for Industrial Technology.
1983	MFI graduates its last batch of scholars at the Manila Technician Institute. The Meralco Foundation Institute is established as MFI's first operations center. The Meralco Foundation Center for Professional Development ( MFCPD ) , MFI's training facility completes its development in Talisay, Batanggas and is established as MFI's second operations center.
1984	The Public Relations Society of the Philippines awards MFI's Work Attitude Program ( WAP ), the Grand Anvil Award – an award known as the Oscars of Public Relations. The Manpower Information Center is established as the third operations center catering to systems effectiveness programs and placement services. The Agro-Aquatic Development Center in Jalajala, Rizal becomes MFI's fourth operations center. It starts the Tilapia Culture and Research Project.
1985	MFI sets up its fifth operations center, the Meralco Foundation Technical Assistance Center. MFI enters the field of computer education with the Advanced Courses in Computer Information Systems ( ACCIS ), a joint project with IBM Philippines, Inc. and the University of the Philippines.
1986	The Meralco Foundation Institute graduates its first batch of ITP scholars. MFI acquires Prime Manpower Resources Development, Inc. for the recruitment, testing, and certification of overseas Filipino workers. The Presidential Commission on Good Government begins its review of MFI and its operations.
1988	The Italian Grant consisting of a donation of state-of-the-art equipment and the training of instructors is approved. MFI is awarded the Anvil Award for its Mobile Training Program, a classroom-on-wheels that makes technical training accessible to the poor in depressed areas. The MFI Corporate Culture Program is launched. MFI together with the People's Economic Council, the Development Bank of the Philippines, and the Department of Trade and Industry launches the People's Economic Data Resources and Opportunities or PEDRO. MFI starts a joint project with Abot-Palad Foundation, the Marketing Associations of Groups Involved in Communities ( MAGIC ), with the support of the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center ( TLRC ) and Caritas.
1989	The Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for MFI's own building in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City is held.

1990s

Year	Significance
1990	The Compromise Agreement among MFI, PCGG and the Lopezes is signed. Construction of the MFI Institute and Administration buildings is completed.
1991	MFI is selected as partner in education technology development of the Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation (SwissContact). The partnership breathes life to MFI's Edtech Program. MFI launches the Rizal Integrated People's Program for Livelihood and Enterprise (RIPPLE) to assist the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center, Rizal Provincial Government, and farmer's associations in implementing an integrated rice production system.
1992	The compromise Agreement is fully implemented, making MFI completely independent from Meralco and the governement. MFI ceases to be a holding company and becomes a purely private science foundation. The Italian Government sends 12 MFI Institute Instructors to a three-month training in Italy as part of the Italian grant package.
1993	The first batch of ITP students schooled in MFI Institute's new curricullum graduates. MFI Establishes the Jalajala Family Farm School for Boys in Jalajala, Rizal
1994	MFI Replicates the Industrial Technician Program in the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise, Cebu City.
1995	The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation - Human Resource Development in Industrial Technology gives MFI the recognition of Exemplary Models Project in Industrial Technician Program on May 13, 1995 at Toronto, Canada. MFI Replicates the Industrial Technician Program in Columban College, Olongapo City.
1996	The Fund for Assistance to Technician Education (FATE) to ensure the perpetuity of MFI's scholarship program is launched. The Bais Family Farm School is established in Bais City, Negros Oriental
1997	MFI launches the Continuing Rural Education (CREP) to provide the education and training services to out-of-school youth, women and farmers in rural communities, with initial activities in the municipalities of Laguna
1998	The Information Technology Program is officially launched as a two-year partial scholarship program.
1999	MFI is chosen as a Center for Excellence in the Philippines (1999-2003) by the ASEAN Economic Ministers - Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Japan Economic Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC).

2000s

Year	Significance
2000	Tribong MFI is institutionalized to address pressing medical needs in depressed areas. The Bayanihan Alay sa Anak ng Bayani (BASAB) is launched by MFI and AFP to enable families of AFP personnel casualties in line of duty to receive special training programs in MFI or any of its partner institutions.
2001	MFI is accredited as one of the Civil Service Commission Training Institutions for both the Center for Values and Professional Development on March 7, 2001 and the Meralco Foundation Institute on October 12, 2001.
2002	The Information Technology center opens. MFI is chosen as Model Center of Excellence in the Philippines (2002-2004) by the ASEAN Economic Ministers - Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Japan Economic Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC).
2003	MFI Advisory Council is Established
2004	MFI receives the ISO 9001:2000 Certification from the registrars
2005	MFI is given the award Leaving No Soldier's Orphan Behind. MFI is chosen as Model Center of Excellence in the Philippines (2005-2009) by the ASEAN Economic Ministers - Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Japan Economic Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC).

Awards and Recognitions

• ISO9001:2000 Certified through AJA Registrars Inc. Under the the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). MFI is certified for its Quality Management System, for Development and Conduct of Technical Training and Education.
• Chosen as a Model Center of Excellence by the Department of Trade and Industry (Philippines) (DTI)- Center for Industrial Competitiveness-National Manpower Training Council. Chosen by the ASEAN Economic Ministers- Japan Economic & Industrial Cooperation Committee" - 2002 to 2004.
• Chosen as a Center of Excellence by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Center for Industrial Competitiveness-National Manpower Training Council chosen by the ASEAN Economic Ministers- Japan Economic & Industrial Cooperation Committee". - 2001 to 2003.
• Accredited as CSC Training Institutions – by the Civil Service Commission for both the Meralco Foundation Institute on October 1, 2001 and Center for Values and Professional Dev’t on March 7, 2001
• Kabalikat Award 2000 and Angat Kabalikat Award – by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Philippines) (TESDA) on August 20, 2000
• Accredited as a Science Foundation – by the Department of Science and Technology since the beginning and currently renewed effective five years starting June 25, 2000
• Recognition by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, Region VII for its 3-year Special Secondary Agriculture and Technology Curriculum on February 15, 1999
• Exemplary Model Project – by the Asia pacific Economic Cooperation Human Resource Development in Industrial Technology for MFI’s Industrial Technician Program at Toronto, Canada on May 13, 1995
• Certified as a registered indigenous Private Voluntary Organization – by the United States Agency for International Development(USAID) since September 14, 1995
• Anvil Award for Outstanding PR Program – by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for MFI’s Mobile Training Program on June 29, 1992
• Sikap-Gawa Award for Industrial Peace in the field of Training and Research – by the Bishop-Businessmen’s Conference for Human Development on May 2, 1991
• Recognized OWWA Training Institution by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) through a MOA signed on September 1988
• Grand Anvil Award – by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for MFI’s Work Attitude Program on January 21, 1984
• Most Outstanding Project Award for Social Science, Developmental Research - by the National Science and Technology Administration for MFI’s Meralco Foundation Center for Manpower Resources (MFCMR) on July 1983
• Most Active Partner in the Acceleration and Promotion of Human Resources Development - by the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) on March 18, 1983

References

"MFInc Home". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
Torres, Ma. Eliza Socco (2005). Thirty Years of MFI: Excellence in Education and Service. Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines: Meralco Foundation, Inc. pp. 1–168. ISBN 971-93374-0-0.

External links

MFI Foundation Inc
Industrial Technician Program
Family Farm School
MFI Calamba
Tarlac Training Center