The Philippine Accreditation Bureau – Laboratory Accreditation Division (PAB-LAD) welcomed a new batch of new Technical Assessors, Experts (TAs/TEs), and Team Leaders (TLs) during a comprehensive orientation session held on March 28, 2025, at BOI Building, AVR Penthouse, Makati City. The event was to familiarize the new members with the laboratory accreditation process and provide them with the knowledge and tools essential for their critical roles in laboratory assessment.

The program was divided into two sessions, with the morning session focusing on the orientation of new TAs/TEs, while the afternoon session concentrated on the roles and responsibilities of new Team Leaders.

Orientation for New Technical Assessors and Technical Experts

The morning session began with an introduction to PAB services, LAD policies, and procedures, presented by Ms. Laarni Joya. This session provided an essential overview of the understanding of the laboratory accreditation process, along with a walkthrough of the different forms used during assessments.

Following this, Mr. Isaiah Dale Lim discussed the contents of the Code of Ethical Standards, thoroughly explaining each core ethical principle and standard of conduct essential for maintaining integrity and ethical behavior in the assessment process.

The next speaker, Mr. Marlon Macadamia, provided insights on the composition of the assessment team and the roles and responsibilities of assessors. He also shared valuable techniques for conducting assessments and outlined the key attributes required of assessors to perform their tasks with precision and professionalism.

Ms. Samantha Alonzo then led a session on Writing and Grading Non-conformities. She introduced participants to the elements for documenting and evaluating non-conformities during assessments. Her session included practical scenarios and exercises to help participants refine their skills in identifying and grading non-conformities accurately in various contexts.

The morning session concluded with an evaluation led by Ms. Katrina Talle. Participants engaged in a short quiz and scenario-based exercises to reinforce their learning and improve their practical skills.

Orientation for New Team Leaders

The afternoon session was dedicated to orienting the new Team Leaders. Ms. Laarni Joya began the session with PAB Updates, sharing the latest developments and strategies in laboratory accreditation to ensure that Team Leaders are equipped with current information.

Mr. Marlon Macadamia followed with a presentation on the roles and attributes of Team Leaders, emphasizing the importance of leadership qualities such as decision-making, communication, and motivation. He also highlighted the need for coordination skills and in-depth knowledge to effectively guide assessment teams toward achieving successful outcomes.

Mr. Isaiah Dale Lim followed with a session on Report Writing, offering new leaders tips on how organizing reports clearly and concisely. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that reports should thoroughly and accurately reflect the findings and assessments of their teams.  

The afternoon workshop was co-hosted by Ms. Katrina Talle and Ms. Samantha Alonzo and focused on addressing issues and concerns during assessments. Participants were divided into three groups, each focused on a specific assessment area: medical, testing, and calibration. Each group identified the challenges they had encountered in their respective areas.

Following the workshop, an open forum was held in which participants had the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns. The interactive session encouraged engaging discussions, facilitating the exchange of ideas and allowing participants to resolve any uncertainties or issues raised.

The event concluded as a valuable and enriching experience for the participants, providing them with the knowledge and framework necessary to effectively perform their roles in laboratory assessment. As PAB continues its efforts to enhance the quality of its accreditation services, the on-going development of skilled and reliable assessors and experts remains a key priority.

For more information about PAB’s laboratory accreditation services, please visit https://www.dti.gov.ph/pab/services/laboratory-accreditation-division/.

Release Date: 14 April 2025.