MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has secured a recertification from the SOCOTEC Certification Philippines Inc., reaffirming the agency’s adherence to the internationally recognized ISO [International Organization for Standardization] 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) standards.
“As a clear testament to the Department’s unwavering commitment in enhancing the delivery of efficient and effective social welfare and development programs and services for the Filipino people, the DSWD remains steadfast in ensuring that its Quality Management System (QMS) consistently aligns with the internationally recognized ISO 9001:2015 standards,” Undersecretary for Policy and Plans Group (PPG) Adonis Sulit said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sulit, who is also the DSWD vice chairperson of the Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART), said the recertification reflects the agency’s commitment to continuously improve its service delivery to the public.
“This adherence reflects the DSWD’s dedication to maintaining a culture of excellence, fostering continuous improvement, and upholding the highest levels of quality in its operations, processes, and service delivery to better serve the needs of the nation,” he said.
The recertification audit took place last October 2 to 4. It focused on two of the Department’s priority services which are the Registration, Licensing, and Accreditation (RLA); and Securing Travel Clearance for Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA), along with essential support services.
These core services were selected as part of the agency’s digital transformation initiatives to enhance service efficiency.
The audit report from SOCOTEC praised the DSWD for having adequate controls in place for delivering RLA services. It highlighted the agency’s vital role in achieving desired outcomes, managing risks, and minimizing the chances of non-conforming outputs.
In addition, the operational control measures for the MTA processes were acknowledged as well-implemented and efficient.
The auditors also commended the DSWD’s effective management of complaints and grievances via the 8888 hotline.
They noted the “consistent and effective implementation resulting in recognitions, having a 100 percent resolution and compliance rate.”
In addition to its ISO 9001:2015 recertification, the DSWD is poised for another milestone.
The SGS Philippines Inc. has recommended the Department for certification under the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS). This demonstrates the Department’s commitment to safeguarding information security while delivering impactful social welfare services.
“Through these certifications, the DSWD continues to establish benchmarks for quality, innovation, and excellence in public service,” Sulit said. (PNA)