The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I) has successfully concluded its external audit for the renewal of its ISO 9001:2015 Certification, marking another significant milestone in its commitment to quality management and service excellence.

The audit, conducted from November 26 to 29, 2024, by Certification International Philippines (CIP) auditors Florante B. Zarate and Janet N. Safranca, aimed to evaluate DA-RFO I’s continued compliance with ISO standards, the effectiveness of its management system, and the relevance of its operational scope, including adjustments to significant changes.

Subjected to the rigorous evaluation were DA-RFO I’s research stations in Ilocos Norte (INREC), Ilocos Sur (ISREC), La Union (ILIARC), and Pangasinan (PREC). The auditors assessed the centers’ operations, equipment maintenance, and calibration processes.

At the Regional Office, the audit covered critical divisions, including the Research and Development (R&D), Field Operations (FOD), Regional Agricultural Engineering (RAED), Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PMED), Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance (AMAD) and Regulatory divisions, as well as the Human Resources, Procurement, Property and Supply.

Key areas of compliance examined included customer satisfaction, organizational context, QMS scope, leadership, and management review.

During the exit meeting, Mr. Zarate acknowledged the organization’s efforts, highlighting more evidence of compliance with ISO standards despite identifying three minor non-conformities and one open minor non-conformity. “We have observed significant improvements and a strong commitment to quality management,” Zarate noted. As a result, the audit team unanimously recommended DA-RFO I for recertification.

Meanwhile, DA-RFO I Regional Executive Director John B. Pascual lauded the efforts of the entire DA team as it hurdled the 4-day external audit and further encouraged the group to take note on the observations, make the necessary corrective actions on the non-conformities raised from the audit to ensure consistent and strict compliance to the requirements of the standards.

The successful audit underscores DA-RFO I’s dedication to maintaining high standards of service delivery and operational efficiency, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector in the Ilocos Region.

With the endorsement for recertification, DA-RFO I continues to lead by example, ensuring that quality management remains a cornerstone of its mission to serve the farmers and agri-stakeholders.#