The Federation of Faculty Union and Associations, Inc. (FFUAI) of Rizal Technological University (RTU) held its general assembly for the first semester of A.Y. 2025-2026 on September 2, 2025, which featured the expert knowledge of former ACT-Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro and Dr. Rommel B. Rodriguez, Vice President for Faculty of All UP Academic Employees Union, who both underscored the principle of “Militante, Progresibo, at Makabayang Unyonismo” (MPMU).

Gathering educators from both the Mandaluyong Main Campus and the Pasig Branch, the general assembly focused on empowering union and association members and affirming their rights to unionize. The Association of Faculty Clubs, Inc. President and RTU’s Faculty Regent, Dr. Hiene Roy C. Barcelona, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of having good leaders in advancing the interests and welfare of the faculty union members.

The assembly featured the presence and discussion of Former Rep. Castro, which revolved and emphasized the advantages of having a union as a support system and representation of faculty members and educators. She also highlighted that having the backing of a union allows the faculty to serve as agents of checks and balances within the institution, empowered with their right to query the policies being mandated by the administration.

As she sheds light on the current situation of teachers and educators on the ground, Castro highlights the need for collective action in negotiating for the benefits and welfare improvement of RTU’s faculty. Further underscoring the employees’ right to unionize and the principle of MPMU, she also enumerated the legal bases for unionizing in the Philippines, including the 1987 Constitution, Executive Order 180, and the labor conventions of the International Labour Organization.

She also shared with the faculty the legislative agenda of ACT-Teachers Partylist for the 20th Congress, which includes increasing the salaries of public teachers, prioritizing the education sector in national budget appropriations, and regulating class sizes in public schools, among other initiatives. She highlighted that these legislative agendas will elevate the working conditions of educators in the country, much to the delight of RTU’s faculty.

In the afternoon session of the gathering, Dr. Rodriguez, an accomplished unionist at the University of the Philippines, shared his expert knowledge, valuable experience, and the union’s best practices. He furthered the FFUAI members’ knowledge of unionization, arguing that the plight of union members is connected to the bigger picture of the plight of the masses. He also discussed the history of unions and the current state of academic employees’ welfare in the country.

His experience as a union leader in the esteemed national university showed how an enlightening and empowering union should be. He shared how the All UP Academic Employees Union protects and furthers the interests of its members through peaceful and resourceful negotiations and dialogues, much similar to FFUAI’s current practices.

The assembly’s aim of enriching the unionization consciousness of FFUAI’s members was further highlighted through the open forum segments, which provided a participative avenue for the members to ask questions and share sentiments and opinions.

The gathering concluded with a discussion and presentation by FFUAI officers on the union’s accomplishments, highlighting the efforts made by the union to improve the working conditions of Pandayang Rizalia’s academic workforce.

As the frontliners of education at RTU, the welfare of faculty members remains a prime concern of the University. As FFUAI continues to work towards the interests of its members, Pandayang Rizalia is committed to aiding in its mission to improve the faculty’s working conditions.