The UP Diliman (UPD) School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) was recently honored by the national government with the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management. The school is the first degree-granting unit within the UP System to receive the award.

The PQA was established by Republic Act 9013 “to encourage organizations in both private and public sectors to attain excellence in quality in the production and/or delivery of their goods and services.”

On its Facebook page, SURP states the award underscores the school’s “unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.” In addition, the school “is dedicated to advancing its legacy of quality management through continuous process improvements, curriculum updates, competency mapping, and the formulation of institutional governance manuals… reflecting steadfast dedication to excellence and innovation towards better services to the Filipino people.”

SURP, through its dean Dina C. Magnaye, PhD and SURP Quality Assurance Officer Ronnie H. Encarnacion, received the award on July 17 at the Heroes’ Hall of the Malacañang Palace from Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual. Together with Magnaye and Encarnacion was UP Executive Vice President Jose Fernando T. Alcantara. Also in attendance were other SURP officials and staff.—With a report from SURP