DepEd Caraga recommended for certification to ISO 9001: 2015, setting a benchmark in Quality Management System

BUTUAN CITY, March 6, 2024 The Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga Region proudly announces its recommendation for certification to the prestigious ISO 9001:2015, as declared by the external auditor Tuvnord Philippines, Inc., through a virtual meeting today, March 6, 2024, attended by all other DepEd regional offices which have likewise achieved the same recommendation. This achievement marks a significant milestone for DepEd Caraga, which is a testament to its relentless pursuit of excellence in delivering quality education through its consistent adherence to the DepEd National Quality Management System (NQMS) based on the ISO 9001:2015 standards for continual improvement and customer satisfaction. In 2021, the Department launched the ISO-aligned National Quality Management System (NQMS) under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2021, aimed to integrate and streamline the systems and processes within the Department through the QMS Manual and Procedures and Working Instructions Manual (PAWIM) as a standard for all DepEd offices and schools. On March 3, 2023, the Development Academy of the Philippines declared DepEd Caraga as Certainly Certifiable for inclusion in the ISO 9001:2015 NQMS certification. The region then underwent an NQMS Readiness Assessment on November 20-21, 2023, in preparation for the subsequent external audits. The Stage 1 Audit (virtual) commenced on February 5, 2024, followed by the Stage 2 Audit (in-person) on February 22-23, 2024, the results of which Tuvnord announced today, March 6, 2024, for all regional offices of the Department. DepEd Quality Management Representative Usec. Wilfredo Cabral of the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development (BHROD) led the process. Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion, CESO IV, expressed her heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to each employee - from the Job Order employees to the highest in rank - noting that everyone plays a role in the region's success. "I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your commitment, for your smart work, and for putting all the systems in place.” She remarked that DepEd Cagara became a “code switcher” during the audit, referring to ICT and system innovations at the offices that set a benchmark for other regions to emulate. RD Asuncion maintained that the ISO 9001:2015 certification is both a badge of honor and a responsibility. “Every day is a QMS day. I will leave it to the capable hands of our chiefs, unit heads, and QMR team. I hope that you will truly model the true meaning of QMS."  For RD Asuncion, the QMS goes beyond the three Ps (People, Process, Paper). "It is now in your hearts. If QMS is in your heart, everything follows. Again, thank you for the respect. Thank you for believing in each other. God bless Caraga,” she concluded. The eventual certification will capacitate DepEd Caraga and other regional offices to enhance the quality management systems, ensuring consistent, efficient, and effective delivery of educational services across the entire Department while underscoring its commitment to excellence and dedication to quality education. END