PNR now ISO 9001:2015 certified
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) received its ISO 9001:2015 certification on September 30, 2019 from the Certification International Philippines, Inc. (CIP) due to its repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of railway system; train control and rolling stock maintenance; and station operation and related services.
The certification was granted on June 14, 2019, with the ceremonial awarding held on Monday.
The event was attended by CIP president Renato Navarrete, Director Evangeline Macariola of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), PNR Chairman of the Board Gen. Roberto Lastimoso, PNR Director Jovito Barte, PNR management and staff, as well as other guests from CIP and DAP.
PNR started its journey to Quality Management System (QMS) in 2017 through a grant by DAP. According to DAP Director Macariola, they had been encouraging PNR to undergo QMS since 2008 but PNR always refused to take part in the program. They are glad that PNR finally decided to undergo QMS and eventually become certified to International Standard.
PNR General Manager Junn Magno acknowledged the hard work of the Core Team, Internal Quality Auditor, Secretariat and the entire PNR organization for this milestone achievement.
“The certification is a very important tool for the transformation of PNR, but it is not the transformation itself. The organization has to evolve and emerge strong because of the very important role it is playing in the biggest railway investment by the government since 1917,” GM Magno explained.
Through the QMS, PNR established processes which shall continue even after a change in administration. It is PNR’s second to adhere to international standardization, the first being its membership to the Union of International Railways (UIC).
Lawyer Celeste Lauta, QMS leader, reminded the team that getting to the top may not be as tough as staying there. She acknowledged that there will be a long way to go and the journey may be even harder as PNR integrates its plans, programs and services to the ISO standard.
The ISO certification is not only a manifestation of hard work, but a commitment to its interested parties for continual improvement in the quality of service that PNR provides. It may not be done overnight, but PNR is committed to deliver an improved service in the coming months.