The UP Procurement Office (UPPO) recently received its ISO 9001:2015 certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
According to the ISO website, “ISO 9001 is a globally recognized standard for quality management. It helps organizations of all sizes and sectors to improve their performance, meet customer expectations and demonstrate their commitment to quality. Its requirements define how to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a quality management system.”
The website added, “Implementing ISO 9001 means your organization has put in place effective processes and trained staff to deliver flawless products or services time after time.”
Through the initiative of UPPO Director Flor Rissa L. Ofilada, the certification process commenced with the first meeting audit on July 15 to discuss questions and prepare the checklist for the process.
Prior to the Sept. 4 (Stage 1) and 8 (Stage 2) audit stages, the UPPO held a series of events in preparation for the certifying body. These were the mock audit (July 29), preparation of documents for the opening conference (Aug. 1), opening conference (Aug. 20), actual internal audit (Aug. 22), management review (Aug. 23), special audit (Aug. 27), closing conference (Aug. 28), and dry run with consultant (Aug. 29).
The UPPO was ISO 9001:2015 certified on Sept. 26, and its certification is valid until 25 September 2027. The UPPO received a physical copy of the certificate on Nov. 19.
To prevent certificate revocation before the end of validity, the UPPO must consistently comply with the standards’ requirements, maintain accurate documentation, conduct regular audits, promptly address non-conformities, ensure staff training and awareness, secure management commitment, carefully assess operational changes for compliance, engage stakeholders, meet all deadlines, and avoid complacency by fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Meanwhile, the UPPO conducted its annual procurement conference on Sept. 10, while the certification process was ongoing.
The ProcuREdefined: Reconceptualizing Procurement aimed to orient the UP System and UP Diliman end-users about Republic Act (RA) No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), focusing on its differences with its predecessor RA 9184. The full implementation of the NGPA will take effect upon the approval of its implementing rules and regulations, which is targeted for January 2025.
Ofilada said the “new enacted law will change the procurement landscape.”
Rowena Candice M. Ruiz, lawyer and executive director of the Government Procurement Policy Board—Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), “procurement is one of the pillars for the progress of the country.”
She discussed the salient points of the NGPA and the existing programs and plans of GPPB-TSO.
In closing, Peter A. Sy, UP vice president for Digital Transformation, presented UP’s recently approved electronic documents and signatures policy and the proposed IT Software, Equipment, and Services (or ITSES) procurement policy.