The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) recently completed its ISO 9001:2015 recertification audit at Apacible Hall A, in Quezon City on March 17, 2025. This audit, conducted by the Worldwide Quality Assurance (WQA) Philippines, Incorporated, plays a crucial role in ensuring that PCAF continues to uphold the internationally recognized standards of quality management and service delivery in its operations.
A total of 30 PCAF officials, composed of PCAF’s top management, division chiefs, and section chiefs, attended the opening and closing meetings. The activity included an opening meeting, where the WQA audit team leader presented the audit plan. The audit results were presented to agency officials during the closing meeting.
The recertification audit was led by Homer Alcon, the Audit Team Leader, with the support of his team members—Florida Cornejo, Lily Agnes Picardo, and Elvin Almazar from WQA Philippines. Together, they evaluated several critical areas of PCAF’s operations, including top management practices, human resources, internal auditing processes, infrastructure, and the overall operational environment.
The audit team also assessed PCAF’s four operating units, ensuring that each division of the agency adhered to the prescribed ISO standards. Their comprehensive evaluation focused on verifying that PCAF’s management system remained effective and efficient in meeting both internal goals and customer expectations.
ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized standard for quality management systems. The recertification process ensures that organizations, like PCAF, maintain their commitment to quality and continuously improve their internal processes. The recertification is carried out by an independent third-party certification body and is typically done every three years. To retain ISO 9001:2015 certification, organizations must also undergo annual surveillance audits to verify continued compliance with the standard’s requirements.
The primary goal of the ISO 9001:2015 recertification for PCAF was to evaluate the continued conformity and effectiveness of the agency’s management system. The audit also aimed to assess the relevance and applicability of the system for the scope of the certification. This thorough review is essential for maintaining the integrity and high standards of PCAF’s operations, ensuring that the organization remains aligned with international quality standards.
Facilitated by PCAF’s Management Section, the ISO audit is vital in affirming PCAF’s dedication to delivering high-quality services. This recertification marks another significant milestone in the agency’s journey toward excellence and sustainable development.
During the closing meeting, the WQA highlighted positive findings and best practices from the audit, recognizing PCAF’s strong commitment to quality management across its operations. Notable commendations included the agency’s knowledge capture initiative, Lakbay Panayam, praised for its innovation and recognized as a best practice in knowledge management. Additionally, the preparation and generation of the Financial Accountability Reports (FARs) through the Department of Budget and Management’s Unified Reporting System (URS) Portal were acknowledged for their efficiency. The audit team also lauded the audited personnel for their clear understanding of their roles in implementing the Quality Management System (QMS).
PCAF’s successful ISO 9001:2015 recertification reinforces the agency’s dedication to quality management and continuous improvement. With the support of the WQA Philippines team, PCAF has demonstrated its ongoing compliance with global standards.
“Thank you so much to all of you. We did our best as a team. Let us continue to make it a habit to conform to the required standards,” PCAF OIC-Executive Director Julieta E. Opulencia said. | Jane Briña
