By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

The Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) between the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Faculty Association, Inc. (FAI) is officially registered anew at the Civil Service Commission (CSC). 

CSC Ilocos Norte Field Office Director, Atty. Rex R. Ami awarded the Certificate of Registration to MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and FAI President Marlina L. Lino in a virtual ceremony last November 3. 

With certificate no. 2122, the effectivity of the MMSU-FAI CNA runs from January 9, 2021 to January 8, 2024. 

Atty. Ami said the CSC supports the CNA because it is an essential aspect of public sector unionism. “The Commission promotes responsive management and responsible public sector unionism as key partners to effective governance,” he stressed.  

For her part, Dr. Lino said the MMSU-FAI CNA has been executed to promote harmony, efficiency and productivity in the University through better work conditions. 

She said that the integral parts of the agreement include the mandated benefits such as the CNA Incentive, scholarships and grants, housing privileges, first aid and regular medical and dental checkup and services, faculty workload equivalent points for non-teaching assignments, and payment of overload service. Other benefits include welfare fund, shuttle services, anniversary bonus, and natural calamity and pandemic assistance. 

MMSU and FAI signed the seventh CNA agreement last January 8, which covers all faculty members of MMSU regardless of their status of appointment. 

The CNA is in line with Section 73 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 10964 (the 2018 General Appropriations Act) titled “Rules in the Grant of the Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentive.” (StratCom)