STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan – The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) continues its commitment toward excellence by adopting quality management system to improve its overall performance and to ensure delivery of quality products and extension services in the region. This inspired the institute’s management to conduct Enhancement Training on ISO 9001:2015 cum Internal Quality Audit for ATI-RTC I staff on March 9-13, 2020.
The five-day training focused on the salient features of the ISO 9001:2015 Standard as well as the Guidelines in Auditing the System (ISO 19011: 2018). Ms. Athena Agape B. Baguisi, Media Production Specialist III, and former Internal Quality Audit Team Leader of ATI Central Office, acted as the Resource Person. To help the participants understand further the requirements of the said standard through each clauses, Ms. Baguisi discussed each requirement and related them to the concept and principles of auditing.
Various workshops were integrated in the training. Each section and unit crafted risk assessment plan and risk-based quality objectives for 2020, and formulated audit checklist – an auditor’s essential tool in conducting internal quality audit.
Through the lectures and workshops, the participants were able to understand the perspective of an auditor and an auditee. At the end of the training, an examination was administered by Ms. Baguisi to determine from among the participants qualified auditors and members of the Internal Quality Audit (IQA) Team.
“I realized that understanding the ISO 9001:2015 Standard is what we really need. By familiarizing this guide, we will know how to apply internal audit and operationalize a quality management system as a whole”, Ms. Abegel A. Joson, Planning Officer II, said as she expressed her insights and learning in the training.
Meanwhile, ATI-RTC I Center Director Dr. Rogelio C. Evangelista commended Ms. Baguisi for all the inputs she provided as these will be a jump start for the Center to be more than prepared for the ISO re-certification.
“I would like to give recognition for the efforts of the former IQA Team of the Center spearheaded by Dr. Mangabat and of course let’s also acknowledge the new composition of our IQA Team. And to all of you, congratulations for I believe that each section, unit and one of you did your best effort to complete and provide the requirements of this training”, Dr. Evangelista cited during the closing program of the activity.
ATI-RTC I was certified as ISO 9001:2015 in January 2019 and will undergo a surveillance audit this August.