by John Vincent B. Toribio

Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, president of the Mariano Marcos State University, and Dr. Marlina L. Lino, president of the MMSU Faculty Association, Inc., led the signing of the 7^th Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) at the Teatro Ilocandia today, January 8.

The two representatives renewed the CNA to grant all MMSU academic rank and file employees the mandated and other benefits provided for in the 6^th CNA set to expire on February 12 this year.   

Some of the benefits include the CNA incentive, share in royalties (sale from inventions, publications, course wares, broadcasts materials, technologies generated), scholarships, housing privileges, and first aid and regular medical & dental checkup and services.

The agreement also upholds that the faculty members be given workload equivalent units for non-teaching assignments, and be paid of teaching overload services. 

Moreover, the faculty will enjoy subsidized services and incentives from the Welfare Fund (20% of the total collected tuition fees), 50% discount for shuttle services, anniversary bonus (to be given for every milestone anniversary of the University and every five year thereafter during the University Foundation Celebration).

New to the CNA is the inclusion of the Pandemic or Epidemic Assistance which is in the form of personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene kits, vaccines and work-related mandatory tests; and, the natural calamities assistance in cash or in kind.

The agreement reiterates that the faculty shall receive these benefits subject to the certification of availability of funds by the university accountant and the usual accounting budgeting and auditing rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, the members of the MMSU-FAI shall actively participate in the austerity measures and system improvement implemented by the University: economy on the use of electricity, water, fuel, supplies and materials, sharing of resources among employees, patronizing University resources and facilities, implementing of the 5s program and imbibing the Bayanihan spirit in performing extra work.

This agreement covers all faculty members of MMSU regardless of the nature or status of appointment. 

The signing of the CNA was witnessed by University Administrative Council officials and FAI officers.

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.”