BAGUIO CITY – It is indeed a merry season for the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) as it has finally received its (International Organization for Standardization) ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certificate from the TUV SUD Philippines.
This achievement is formally celebrated through the unveiling of the certificate with a signing of the quality commitment pledge by the top management. This is a significant part of the agency’s year-end program being held recently.
In her message, OIC-Regional Executive Director (RED) Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved during the ISO certification process, including former division chiefs for the past 5 years, DA-CAR’s ISO resource person and facilitator Dr. Evelyn Esquejo, and former DA-CAR RED Dr. Cameron P. Odsey.
“The challenge is now bestowed upon us to sustain their initiatives in pushing the ISO certification. We have seen each other’s highs and lows in relation to ISO, until we were able to hold the fort. This is not the end; we still have a lot to do as we go along,” she said, adding that the improvement of the QMS is a continuous process.
This was seconded by Dr. Odsey in his keynote address, saying that the ISO is also a tool to be used in attaining one’s objectives, and to be able to provide quality services to the clients. “ISO certification is a tool that when you do not use, or maintain, it will rust. ISO is procedures and processes, therefore, every one of you, from the lowest to the highest position, must internalize it. The more you do it, the more it becomes a habit,” he stated. He added that the true measure of the agency’s success is the client’s satisfaction and that their feedbacks must be an indicator.
Further, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Danilo P. Daguio emphasized the need of standard procedures as this is expected of a workplace to ensure the safety, quality, and credibility of products and services.
Through signing the pledge of commitment, the DA-CAR employees devote to excellence in quality management and to uphold the principles of the ISO as laid down in DA-CAR Quality Manual, in relentless pursuit of quality and excellence, and guided by its Vision, Mission, Goals and Core Values.
Also in attendance are DA-CAR OIC-RTD for Research and Regulations Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo, who also delivered the Call to Action Message, and the division, section and unit chiefs. By CEWaytan