Palawan State University – covering four sites successfully surpassed the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Recertification Audit conducted by TUV Rheinland auditors from November 15-16, 2022. TUV Rheinland Auditors headed by Ms. Jogina Mendiola, Ms. Anelyn Matriano, Ms. Elisa Cruz, Mr. Melchor Camina, and Mr. Ernesto Demoy have visited the Main Campus. At the same time, Mr. Fronie Aligway, and Mr. Rolando Ramitar audited the PSU Manalo Campus. Meanwhile, Ms. Jogina Mendiola, Ms. Anelyn Matriano, and Mr. Melchor Camina audited the PSU Roxas Campus.

At the main campus, the opening meeting was held at PSU Amphitheater, which was attended by Dr. Elucila M. Sespeñe, OIC-Office of the University President and Prof. Venzon Limpiada, University and Board Secretary, along with the deans, department chairpersons, office directors, and unit heads, as well as the external auditors. Engr. Jerico M. Padrones, Internal Audit Services (IAS) Director briefly described the external audit process and the application of PSU for ISO 9001:2015 QMS recertification. Dr. Sespeñe, in her opening remarks, welcomed everyone to the said opening program, whilst emphasizing the crucial nature of the activity. A short video was then presented to the audience and the auditors to provide a glimpse of PSU’s accomplishments, recognitions, and best practices during the last audit periods of AY 2021 and 2022. It also highlighted the recovery of PSU from the wrath of Super typhoon Odette and the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the reopening of campuses for the limited face-to-face classes starting January 2022.

Immediately after the video presentation, the Audit Plan was presented by Ms. Jogina Mendiola, Lead Auditor. From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM auditors visited the offices for their In-person audits. The consolidation of results started around 5:30 PM and a pre-closing meeting by auditors with IAS Director, Engr. Padrones was held at the VPAA conference room to emphasize the audit’s findings.

The audit results were presented during the closing meeting held at PSU Instructional Media Center, Main Library Building. The meeting was attended by the unit heads and deans as well as key university officials. The meeting was formally opened by Engr. Jerico Padrones expresses his sincere gratitude to the auditors who provided valuable inputs and the quality time spent with unit heads in helping PSU achieve its commitment to clientele in providing quality service and continual improvement. Likewise, he thanked all unit heads, deans, and the university’s top management for their active support and participation throughout the duration of the audit. The findings in all sites audited revealed numerous positive observations, and manifestations of PSU’s commitment to quality in instruction, research, and extension as covered in the scope of certification. Overall, PSU was recommended to be awarded for the renewal of its ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification for another three (3) years, subject to the annual surveillance for the verification of standards. Ms. Mendiola appreciated the whole PSU community, especially the University President, Dr. Ramon M. Docto, who eagerly attended the top management audit virtually in the morning activities, for all the efforts exerted to maintain the certification and further encourage explore more opportunities for improvement for the benefit of students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders of the university.

In closing, VPAA Sespeñe expressed her gratitude to everyone especially the auditors for their valuable findings. On behalf of the University, the challenge to PSU of becoming a better institution, more responsive and relevant in all aspects of its operation, has been accepted with full fervor.

The success of the audit is another milestone of the institution, an attestation of the undying commitment of Palawan State University to providing quality service to the PSU community and its clientele.