City of Santa Rosa begins ISO 9001:2008 Pre-Certification Process

CITY OF SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA – The City Government of Santa Rosa formally expressed its intent to undergo ISO 9001:2008 Certification during the launching ceremony held today, March 16, 2015 at the Grand Lobby of City Hall B, City Government Center.

“Our efforts to continually improve our services to benefit our people and to keep up with demands of the times to be relevant are the primary motivating force in our resolve to become ISO 9001:2008 Certified,” Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas said.

Mayor Arcillas emphasized that through the ISO 9001, the City can improve the consistency of its output and services through well-defined and documented procedures. Thus, “it is expected to result in increased customer satisfaction and boost investor confidence in the city government.”

The mayor also urged all stakeholders of the city to once again participate in the undertaking, as they have been doing in the past eight years since she started office as City Mayor. “All of us here have a stake in this endeavour – we all want the city government to work for the people, and work as it is mandated.  I urge all of you to join us in making the City of Santa Rosa world-class and a model in local governance,” she said.

The process in having the city ISO certified is also in line with her vision and mission for the City to become world class and a model in local governance, as encapsulated in her administration’s slogan,“Serbisyong Makatao, Lungsod na Makabago.”

ISO 9001 sets out how an organization can establish an effective Quality Management System (QMS) to meet stakeholders’ needs. Processes of the Local Civil Registrar’s Office, Public Employment Service Office, and City Planning and Development Office will go through the Certification Audit for ISO 9001:2008 to be administered by an independent certification body on the second quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, Laguna Vice Governor Katherine Agapay lauded the City for its initiative to be the first local government unit in the Province of Laguna to be ISO 9001 Certified.

“I am very elated that the City of Santa Rosa is now ISO-prepared for the badge of excellence for the world class management (here in the Province of Laguna). Having one (ISO Certified LGU) in the province opens the door for success (in the whole province),” Vice Governor Agapay said.

Vice Governor Agapay added that ISO certification means more investors (will come in), more jobs for constituents and world recognition.

City Vice Mayor Arnel Gomez and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Heads of Offices and Employees, Heads of National Agencies, and Barangay Officials graced the event.

Also present were representatives from the Toyota-City of Santa Rosa-Gawad Kalinga Village and the Santa Rosa Business Club, as well as the technical consultants for the project.