The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) opened its 68^th  anniversary celebration on January 21 with the awarding of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification for quality management to the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB),  the office responsible for managing relief goods.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista and NRLMB Director Fernando De Villa received the ISO 9001:20015 Certification from Ms. Norie Mendoza, Business Account Specialist of DQS Management Solutions, an international management certification body.

Ms. Mendoza said that the certification is a proof that DSWD-NRLMB has implemented and maintained a quality management system in the production and logistics management of relief goods.

In his message during the awarding ceremony, Secretary Bautista commended the DSWD employees for their hard work particularly citing the NRLMB for the recognition.

“I would particularly like to congratulate the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) for having earned ISO Certification in less than three months. This was preceded by the ISO Certification issued to the National Resource Operations Center, the first government repacking facility in Asia to be given such.  This feat goes on to show that we endeavor for quality through having quality management systems that translate to quality service,” Secretary Bautista said.

The Secretary added, “While all offices in this Department are working hard to improve their services to the Filipino people, I enjoin everyone to emulate NRLMB and I expect that soon, other offices will also be recognized for excellent systems processes.”

Secretary Bautista further said to the employees, “Let this year be one that is full of many wonderful beginnings for our organization. Let these words of American Clergyman, Edward Everett Hale be a challenge: ‘Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.’ We have come together, and we have tried our best to keep being together. All we need now is to work. Thus I encourage you to W-O-R-K. W stands for willingness.  Be willing to accept whatever comes our way in the name of public service. O stands for oneness. Let us unite for our common goal of providing for our fellow Filipinos who need our programs.  Let us do away with divisiveness and remember that we are one. R stands for readiness.  I encourage everyone to be proactive and to think ahead of ways how we can be more responsive to unforeseen events.  Finally, K stands for kindness.  In everything we do, let us do it out of thoughtfulness, compassion and regard.”

Opening of Bazaar

Aside from the awarding of the ISO Certification, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the DSWD Employees’ Bazaar was also held as part of the kick-off activity for the weeklong anniversary celebration of the Department.

Secretary Bautista and Assistant Secretary Rhea Peñaflor, chairperson of the Anniversary Committee, led the said ceremony.

The livelihood bazaar is a yearly tradition during the anniversary celebration of the Department as a way of giving back to its employees. ###