In line with the World Accreditation Day 2021, the Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) conducted a week-long celebration which started by hosting the DTI virtual flag raising ceremony on the 7th of June, 2021. The ceremony was graced by PAB Director, Engr. James E. Empeño who gladly invited everyone to attend the scheduled webinars which support the implementation of SDGs.
World Accreditation Day (WAD) is celebrated every 9th of June to promote the value of accreditation. It is a global initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and International Accreditation Forum (IAF)- international organizations for the accreditation bodies which aim to develop international cooperation for facilitating trade by promoting the acceptance of accredited conformity assessment results such as certification, inspection, test and calibration.
This year’s theme focuses on the use of accreditation in supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Accreditation and Carbon Accounting Verification and Certification System
The first webinar entitled “Orientation on the Carbon Accounting Verification and Certification System (CAVCS) for Forest Carbon Projects in the Philippines” was held on the 9th of June, 2021 via Zoom Meeting with Ninety-nine (99) participants.
The orientation aimed to increase the awareness on the importance of validation and verification in safeguarding the reliability and quality of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions or removal claimed by a forest carbon project, and how accreditation ensures the credibility of the organizations providing these activities.
Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba urged all participants to remain engaged in fulfilling the SDGs and accreditation goals towards a more prosperous and sustainable future in her welcome message.
“Like the components of SDGs, accreditation also aims for a more sustainable future by ensuring credible and reliable testing, inspections, and certifications. Through these, it contributes to improved living standards through the provision of safe and quality goods and services while preserving energy and the environment,” Usec. Aldaba said.
Three distinguished speakers were invited to share their expertise on different topics highlighting the role and impact of accreditation and CAVCS. Ms. Japhet Celis of DTI-PAB discussed the, “Overview of the Philippine Accreditation Bureau;” Ms. Elise Gabrielle Esguerra from Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) presented the “Overview on Process Flow, Forest Carbon Accounting, Monitoring and Reporting, Validation and Verification of CAVCS for Forest Carbon Projects in the Philippines;” and Ms. Markim Ivee Ocampo also of DTI-PAB, presented the “Accreditation of GHG Validation and Verification Bodies”.
Dir. Empeño closed the event and reiterated the significant role of accreditation by mentioning an excerpt from the joint statement of ILAC and IAF. “Accreditation supports policy objectives in areas including cross-border trade, food safety, health and environmental protection, and industrial and infrastructural development. It also provides a trusted platform for defining, developing and verifying requirements for products and services, helping to ensure and demonstrate that products and services meet specified requirements.”
Accreditation Delivers Confidence in the Provision of Energy
The second webinar entitled “Accreditation: Delivering Confidence in the Provision of Energy” was held on the 11th of June, 2021 via Zoom Meeting with Seventy-nine (79) participants.
DTI-CIG Assistant Secretary Napoleon Juanillo, Jr. emphasized the role of accreditation in ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy as he welcomed the participants. He also underscored the importance of energy and equated it to any other commodities that people need in attaining quality living, especially during this time when we are all experiencing a global crisis.
“Its importance, just like other commodities has been much more realized especially in this time of global health crisis. Energy services are vital in ensuring movement and continuity of essential activities – from powering healthcare facilities and supplying clean and potable water, to enabling communications and IT services that connect people while maintaining social distancing,” Asec. Juanillo said.
The online briefing was aimed at promoting how accreditation adds confidence in the conformity assessment results provided in the provision of energy. DTI-PAB speakers: Mr. Jenebert Opinion and Ms. Juanita Carpio presented the “PAB Overview” and the “Benefits of Accredited Management System Certification”, respectively. Management System Auditor and Trainer from SGS Philippines, Inc., Mr. Jerome Cipriano, presented the “Overview of ISO 50001”. Mr. Cipriano highlighted the importance and benefits of implementing the ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management System on organizations’ energy consumptions.
These activities remind us that we can all contribute to these transformative and innovative goals of the UN’s SDGs. This is possible through the engagement of people and organizations. These PAB webinars, for example, are PAB’s way of informing us of our “actionable” roles that can provide support to some of these goals.
Having conducted a promotional campaign (hosting) and two webinars only proved that the celebration of the World Accreditation Day could never be hampered by limitations brought about by the current crisis, especially if the intention is to build a more informed public.
Release Date: 21 June 2021