BAGUIO CITY – Following the successful awarding of the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certificate last year, the Agency has commenced its first surveillance audit, which runs from today, November 13 to November 15, 2024. The audit aims to assess the continued compliance of the organization’s management systems with the international quality standards and to ensure that the system is effectively meeting its objectives.
The opening program for the audit was held at the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC) Compound in Dontogan barangay, this city. During the event, key personnel, including division chiefs and section heads, were present to support the start of the audit process.
The primary objective of this surveillance audit is to verify that the agency’s developed, implemented, and maintained management systems continue to align with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. This includes evaluating the application of the management system and its effectiveness in achieving the agency’s specified goals. Additionally, the audit will assess the resolution of any non-conformities identified in previous audits, ensuring continuous improvement in the organization’s operations.
In her opening message, Department of Agriculture Cordillera Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, expressed her gratitude and pride in the agency’s journey toward ISO certification. “We are really happy that after many years of hard work, the certification we received was the result of a three-year initiative,” said Atty. Dawayan. “Though the process was affected by the pandemic and the digitalization shift we started in 2019, we managed to make steady progress and were officially certified last year. We acknowledge, however, that there is always room for improvement, and this first surveillance audit will serve as a valuable opportunity for us to enhance our systems further.”
Atty. Dawayan emphasized that the goal is not only to maintain the ISO certification but to continually improve the quality of services provided by the agency. “It’s not just about having the certification; it’s about how we perform, how we serve our clients, and how we can deliver better results for the people. That’s our goal,” she added. “We are committed to addressing any issues that may arise during the audit and will work together as a team to ensure continuous improvement.”
She also highlighted that the ISO certification is a stepping stone toward better resource management, particularly in securing funding for the agency’s programs. “The results of last year’s audit were an eye-opener for us to prioritize our funds more effectively. Moving forward, we hope that this certification will help us become more resourceful and improve our operations in the region.”
The audit team from TUV SUD Philippines, the outsourced firm conducting the surveillance, were Mary Danica Pelone and Eunice Sol Diamante. The team will review the management systems, processes, and outcomes to ensure that the agency is meeting the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. By Leny D. Mendoza
