MANILA, (PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has successfully retained its ISO 9001:2015 certification for the seventh consecutive year, demonstrating its commitment to quality management and government service excellence.
During the closing ceremony of this year’s re-certification process, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the significance of this achievement. “As this process of third-party recertification concludes, we are filled with a deep sense of relief and optimism that the right standards are in place,” she said. “Achieving and maintaining our ISO certification is not just a milestone for the Department of Tourism, but our commitment to serving with excellence.”
The ceremony, held at the DOT Central Office in Makati City on September 12, included participation from DOT officials and regional officers via video conferencing. Secretary Frasco highlighted that the globally recognized benchmark ensures the Department’s processes consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.
“I wish to thank our officials, as well as the entire DOT family, for all the work that has been put in, not just towards this audit, but towards all of the programs and projects we have implemented since the beginning of the Marcos Administration,” she added.
Frasco acknowledged the collective efforts of the DOT personnel that made this re-certification possible. “Beyond any measure of opinion, the facts speak for themselves, reflected in visitor receipts, tourism employment, and numerous awards from respected tourism bodies,” she said.
The DOT first achieved ISO certification in 2018, followed by successful surveillance audits in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the Department passed its re-certification audit, and it has maintained its high service standards through 2022 and 2023 under Secretary Frasco’s leadership, passing two additional audits without any non-conformities.
The QMS Third-Party Re-Certification Audit was conducted on September 11 and 12, 2024, by PT AJA Sertifikasi Indonesia-Philippine Representative Office, an ISO certification body. The annual audit assesses compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards, covering areas such as tourism enterprise accreditation, enforcement of regulations, and industry training and development services.
This continued recognition reflects the DOT’s ongoing dedication to enhancing the tourism sector and ensuring high-quality service delivery across the Philippines. (JMP/PIA-NCR)