Ms. Sheena C. Dela Torre, one of DTI-PAB Promotion and Documentation Officers, presented the overview of accreditation and DTI-PAB services during the seminar on Importance of Accreditation in the Delivery of Health and Social Care. 

The DTI-Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) in collaboration with DTI Region XII went on a roadshow with a series of seminars on the importance of quality assurance on health and social care; food safety; and environment conducted from 17 to19 July 2019 at the Sun City Suite, Sun City Complex, Pan Philippine Highway, General Santos City.

The first seminar focused on the importance of accreditation in the delivery of health and social care attended by fifty-seven (57) participants from medical laboratories, hospitals, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Aside from introducing DTI-PAB’s services, a speaker from Department of Health (DOH) presented the agency’s requirements for the licensing of clinical laboratories while speakers of varied backgrounds from private and government organizations shared the importance of having reliable results and best practices of an accredited laboratory. An introduction to the ISO 15189- the international standard that specifies the requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories served as a teaser for medical laboratories interested in applying for accreditation. This standard is the being used by the DTI-PAB in confirming and recognizing the competence of medical laboratories.

The second seminar is all about Food Safety Management System and the accreditation of Halal Certification Bodies. This series aimed to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring the quality, authenticity and safety of food from farm to fork. Seventy-one (71) participants from food producers, processors, manufacturers, Local Government Unit (LGU) and consumers attended the roadshow. The event featured different systems and programs such as Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Halal Certification that will help ensure food and products meet the safety, quality and other legal or religious requirements. The participants were also introduced to the Philippine National Halal Certification Scheme and benefits of accredited Halal Certification. Resource Speakers from Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), DTI-PAB, and other private professional organizations candidly shared their knowledge in their own field of expertise which made the event a fun filled experiential learning.

In response to the growing need for sustainable development, the last seminar aimed to promote the significance of accreditation in the conservation and protection of the environment. The event was attended by Forty-four (44) participants from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Local Government Unit (LGU) and other stakeholders. Speakers from DTI- Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Energy (DOE) and DTI-PAB, talked about the Environment Management System (ISO 14001), DENR Requirements on Environmental Impact Assessment, DENR Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP) Policy and Procedure, Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency for SMEs, and Importance of Accreditation for Environmental Protection and Conservation, respectively.

The Accreditation Roadshow is an initiative to bring accreditation and quality consciousness to regulators, industry players and the consuming public.  We will endeavor to conduct information dissemination nationwide to bring PAB services that will help in providing quality assurance to critical sectors and industries.

By virtue of Executive Order 802, DTI-PAB is the national accreditation body of the Philippines mandated to accredit inspection bodies, certification bodies, testing and calibration laboratories, and other bodies offering conformity assessment services. It also promotes accreditation through conduct of seminars and training on accreditation and the schemes currently offered. As of 30 June 2019, DTI-PAB has accredited a total of 248 conformity assessment bodies (CABS) that include 172 testing laboratories, 45 calibration laboratories, 7 medical laboratories, 8 inspection bodies and 16 certification bodies.

For more information on accreditation and PAB services, please contact +632 895-3995 or 0917-802-0047 or e-mail at pab@dti.gov.ph. You may also visit our website at www.dti.gov.ph/pab