The Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) conducted a week-long celebration of its 9th anniversary, emphasizing the importance of letting the general public know the importance of accreditation, accreditation standards, and accredited conformity assessment services. Its 9th year celebration was capped off by recognizing and honoring its assessors and experts, external resources speakers, assessment evaluation panel, and committee members, who generously invested their time and expertise in assisting PAB to carry out its mandate.
A webinar entitled, “Getting to Know PAB,” kicked off the series of webinars that were slated from October 17-20, 2022. It was aimed at providing the general public with information about the bureau’s mandates and services, and how these services may contribute to the quality and safety of the goods and services they consume.
This was followed by standard-specific free webinars which included awareness on the following standards: ISO/IEC 17020 (requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection); ISO/IEC 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories); ISO/IEC 17043:2010 (general requirements for proficiency testing), and; ISO 15189:2012 (medical laboratories — requirements for quality and competence).
These topics were discussed by our local speakers, Engr. Aldwin B. Tagapan (ISO/IEC 17025), Ms. Leah C. Dajay, RCh, MSc (ISO/IEC 17043), Engr. Ana B. Opeda (ISO 15189), and foreign speaker, Dr. Aparna Dhawan, Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC)’s Communication and Promotion Committee Chair and TIC Council India’s Executive Director.
These standard-specific webinars targeted conformity assessment bodies to equip them with basic knowledge in implementing appropriate standards in their respective organizations and eventually be more confident in seeking accreditation from DTI-PAB. It was also open to practically everyone who would like to better understand the requirements of the standards and how these standards impact the services they get from its direct users. The webinars were able to serve a total of 1,311 participants from various private and government sectors.
PAB’s First In-Person Stakeholders’ Gathering
PAB’s 9th anniversary celebration culminated on October 27, 2022, through an “In-person Stakeholders’ Gathering,” at the City Garden Grand Hotel Makati, attended by selected participants and recipients of PAB awards. The awards included certificates of accreditation of new CABs and recognition of CABs who maintained two or more accreditation cycles. Also, present at the gathering are the assessors and experts who were recognized for their active and versatility during their participation to PAB assessments.
Technical Committee Members and Accreditation Evaluation Panel composed of individuals from various fields and industries were also acknowledged for their contribution in making sound accreditation-related policies and decisions.
The Philippine Accreditation Bureau was in full force to commemorate this momentous event, with Dir. James E. Empeño recounting how PAB has successfully transformed from being an “Action Team” under the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) to being a full-fledged Bureau.
Usec. Rafaelita M. Aldaba, through a recorded message, showed her support to the celebration and congratulated PAB on its achievements, particularly on gaining and maintaining international recognitions to organizations like the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), International Accreditation Forum (IAF), Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation, and the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF).
She likewise highlighted PAB’s continuous push for regulatory recognitions and harmonization which paved the way for the agreements with the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), to name a few. She also did not forget to acknowledge and thanked the pioneers of PAB who have been part of the growth and success in carrying out its mandate all through these years.
Usec. Aldaba was joined by the chairs of the aforementioned international organizations to congratulate and wish PAB continued success.
The gathering hosted by Ms. Japhet T. Celis and Mr. Jenebert P. Opinion which was simultaneously streamed through zoom was participated by 116 participants. These included PAB’s current and former employees, council members, assessors and experts, accredited conformity assessment bodies, accreditation evaluation panel members, technical committee members, and regulators.
Date of Release: 07 November 2022