PCW gets nod of certifying body for certification to ISO 9001:2015
The Philippine Commission on Women welcomes the decision of the audit team from Socotec Certification Philippines, Inc., to recommend the immediate certification of the agency to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems or QMS), noting zero non-compliance with the requirements of the standards.
The PCW’s QMS covers the management, support, and core processes on the provision of relevant and responsive policy development, Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget and GAD Accomplishment Report review and endorsement/acceptance, and appropriate and strategic technical assistance (i.e., Provision of Responsive GAD Technical Assistance and Provision of GAD Information and Referral Services).
At the closing meeting of the one-day Stage 2 audit of the Commission held on December 11, 2019, Ms. Ella Riza Ajero (Lead Auditor), Ms. Quinie Anne Aguinaldo, Mr. Robert Jarquio, and Mr. Baltazar Lachica discussed the positive notes and observations, as well as the points to improve PCW’s processes. Neither minor nor major NCs were raised, which led the audit team to announce that they are recommending the immediate certification.
OIC Executive Director Ms. Cecile B. Gutierrez, who also serves as the agency’s Quality Management Representative, lauded all the PCW personnel who contributed in making this positive result possible.
“It was a long journey for us. It was hard since we are changing mindsets, it is changing the way we work and our way of life in PCW. This is just the beginning for us; again, mas maraming expectations sa atin ngayon,” Gutierrez said.
“We will continue to build the capacity of everyone in PCW to support our continual improvement. We would also involve everyone so that QMS will really be embedded in every aspect of our work here in PCW,” she added.
Gutierrez likewise thanked Mr. Antonio P. Santos and Ms. Rose May O. De Leon of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) who were present as observers, for the technical guidance that they provided to PCW in preparation for the certification audit.
“We have learned so much from you, and we are thankful to DAP for the opportunity to be part of the pool of agencies that will be provided with free technical assistance,” added Gutierrez.
The institutionalization of QMS in government is provided for under Executive Order 605, s. 2007. It is also one of the requirements of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance Monitoring Information and Reporting Systems in granting the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) to government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations.
