DepEd Tarlac Province now ISO certified

by Dr. Alfredo R. Cababat Jr., EPS II

 

Excellent customer service and delivery of international standards await clients of Schools Division of Tarlac Province as it was ISO 9001:2015 certified effective August 30, 2018.

            The original time plan was to acquire the certification by December this year in response to Executive Order No. 605 of 2007 directing all government agencies to adopt the ISO Quality Management Systems, as part of the government-wide quality management program.

            Of the 20 divisions in the region, SDO Tarlac Province is the 8th to be ISO certified. OIC-ASDS Dr. Noel L. Linsao, the focal person for ISO certification lauded all personnel for making Tarlac Province the fastest ISO certified division in the region in 97 days. “Schedules were adjusted because of our people’s enthusiasm. We challenged ourselves and finished it the fastest,” shared Linsao in an interview.

            Having been accorded with the certification, Linsao stressed that “adhering with the standards set by the certifying body,” stakeholders are assured that performance of all units are continuously monitored.

            Mr. Luisito Soriano, Lead Auditor of DQS Certification Philippines Inc., highlighted the division during the second stage audit having the most number of best practices, and the first SDO to have schools and stakeholders monitored.

            “I have seen your existing system, inaayos lang natin para mapadali ang trabaho. It’s a matter of aligning it with the requirements of ISO,” Soriano revealed.

            Meanwhile, Dr. Estrelita S. Cunanan, officer-in-charge of the Division expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone. During the recommendation for certification, she addressed everyone like a real mother of the division. “I have seen everyone improve during the journey. You are going to sustain this, with or without us,” Cunanan stated.

            Superintendent Cunanan pointed out that the ISO certification is important to implement a system and standard of doing things toward customer or client satisfaction.

            “This is a long-time dream that I have in the other division which I wasn’t able to finish, only to find out, despite the challenges, that I will be able to do it with all of you,” the SDS added.

            DQS Certification Philippines, after the crucial 4-day stage 2 assessment, delivered recommendations for further improvement. The corporate manual had been revised with the review of QMS procedures by document controllers and process owners.

DepEd-Tarlac Province’s ISO 9001:2015 journey started on May 12 with all division personnel attending the Awareness and Foundation Course. Next stages subsequently followed on Documentation System, Risk Assessment for QMS, Practice of Good Housekeeping, Internal Quality Audits, and External Assessments.