ROAD TO ISO-QMS CERTIFICATION

Pilar, taking the first crucial step to start the journey

By LGU-Pilar PIO

“The impossible journey is the one you never begin.” This quote from Lao Tzu best describes how Pilar started to conquer uncertainty, doubts and fear of starting the path to trod. The destination could be way ahead but the road is certainly full of quicksand, winding paths, fog and wild creatures to beat. It was a never-say-die attitude demonstrated by everybody in the team Armored with hearts full of hopes and conviction, and heads like GPS to point to the position of the right object to lead the organization to the right direction. The initiative of making the whole province of Sorsogon an ISO-Certified emanate from Governor, Francis Joseph G. Escudero. All Local Government Units were required to send representatives to undergo ISO Training with Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).  The initiative becomes the way to hit the long-time dream of Pilar Mayor Carolyn Sy-Reyes to make Pilar one of the premier LGUs in the coming years, ISO-QMS is seen as a sheer hope to realizing it.

The beginning of the steps

Eighteen (18) employees from LGU-Pilar which consists of Department Heads and Key personnel from different Offices participated in the series of ISO Training with the Development Academy of the Philippines which started last June 13,2019. It took months to finally finish the course.

An Executive Order No. 11 series of 2020 was issued by the Local Chief Executive Organizing Pilar International Organization for Standardization-Quality Management System Team (PISO-QMST) of Pilar, Sorsogon and for other purposes on  February 6,2020  aimed at formulating  the Quality Manual of the LGU and shall oversee, sustain  and ensure the credibility of all aspects of the LGU System in line with applicable international standards , including the adequacy of the criteria and    interest. Along this line, additional personnel from different offices were assigned to comprise the membership in the Core Teams as embodied in Section 4 of the said Executive Order.

Series of meetings intensified the commitment of the concerned persons in all the preparations, transitions and documentations.

The Launching Ceremony held in Bonifacio Covered Court on September 7, 2020, underscores the Ceremonial Signing of the Operations Manual and the Commitment Signing of Quality Policy which captures the needs, expectations, and issues of the stakeholders and defines the systematic flow of transactions.

Cascading of ISO-QMS were made in the Capacity Building Activities on the same date as provided in the Communication and Awareness Plan crafted by the CapDev Team. All relevant information in order to engage the employees in ISO-QMS works were given utmost priority. It entails a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment from both the top management, the core teams and the employees.

The Stage 1 Certification Audit

Pilar took the challenge, with the Mayor in control of the pulley that gently pushes all employees to cooperate, on hold of the compass that sets the time to make the most of it effectively and productively, all leading to satisfy the customers/ clienteles and relevant interested parties to take delight in the kind of services provided.

The third-party certification audit was held on December 28, 2020 virtually with TUV-SUD PSB Philippines’ Lead Auditor Mr. Xavier Lance Dy. It was a bold and brazen decision to make on the part of the top management considering the threats of pandemic, chaos and natural calamities that directly hit Bicol Region. It was again a never-say-die attitude that prevails, holding on to each other’s strength and faith that together, Pilar will surpass the stage 1 in order to reach the destination that the organization is dreaming to have.

Stage 1 Audit findings prompted the PISO-QMST to work hand-in-hand to improve some areas identified to be enhanced, it led the team to work even more to complete the requirements in preparation for its readiness to reach STAGE 2 Certification Audit which is tentatively scheduled by the Lead Auditor on March 12 – 19, 2021.

There is still more to work on, a little longer time to walk on winding paths and maybe there will still be tricky and foggy paths along the way before it reaches the destination. Nevertheless, no amount of hardship can defeat a heart that loves to dream and brave enough to slay the difficulties in achieving it.

Hence, it is in the length of the journey that will have impact on the kind of services that the organization can offer, it is in the kind of journey that those difficulties were became opportunities that will redound to the smile painted in the faces of the customers because of satisfaction and delight that the quality service brings.

Indeed, no journey is impossible for those who have the courage to take the first step.(Ma. Annie L. Perete)