DOT renews ISO certification

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has successfully renewed its ISO 9001:2015 certification for the seventh consecutive year.

Executive Order No. 605, series of 2007, mandates all departments and agencies of the Executive Branch, including government-owned and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs), to adopt the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems as part of a government-wide quality management program.

To achieve re-certification, the DOT underwent a third-party audit to assess compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards. This audit evaluated the DOT s current scope and coverage, which includes the issuance of accreditation for tourism enterprises, enforcement of tourism regulations, and industry manpower training and development services.

The DOT's successful re-certification is a testament to its consistent commitment to quality management.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted the department's dedication to excellence in government service during the closing ceremony of this year s re-certification process. She noted that this globally recognized benchmark ensures the DOT s processes consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.

As this process of third-party recertification concludes, we are filled with a deep sense of relief, for one, but also optimism that with the right standards in place, the exercise of our functions is not only to the minimum level of compliance but rather to always exceed that which is expected of us, which is to deliver performance in terms of tourism for the country. And so achieving and maintaining our ISO certification is not just a milestone for the Department of Tourism, but our commitment to serving with excellence,  Frasco said.

The DOT first earned this prestigious certification in 2018, followed by successful third-party surveillance audits in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the DOT passed its re-certification audit, maintaining its high standards of service. Under Secretary Frasco's leadership, the DOT retained its certification in 2022 and 2023, passing two more surveillance audits without any non-conformities.

As we close the chapter of this audit, I wish to thank our officials, as well as the entire DOT family, for all of the work that has been put in, not just towards this audit, but really towards all of the programs and projects that we have put in place since the beginning of the Marcos Administration,  Frasco said.

Frasco also recognized the consolidated efforts of the entire DOT, from its officials, to all its employees, which made the re-certification.

Beyond any measure of opinion, are the facts that speak for themselves, very well manifested in the numbers, whether it be visitor receipts, tourism employment, or our numerous awards from globally respected tourism bodies. All of these are affirmations of the hard work and service and sacrifice of the officials, the employees, and the entire DOT,  Frasco added.

The DOT QMS Third-Party Re-Certification Audit was conducted on September 11 and 12, 2024, by PT AJA Sertifikasi Indonesia-Philippine Representative Office, an ISO certification body. (CEBU NEWS)