DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES — In celebration of the National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Competitiveness Bureau (CB), spearheaded the opening of the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Integrated Capability Training in Mindanao on 23 October 2023.

The event was underscored by the signing of a Manifesto of Commitment, a collaborative pledge by a multitude of regional organizations, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of excellence and quality improvement among local organizations in Mindanao, thereby achieving world-class performance, in line with the objective of the Republic Act No. 9013, also known as the PQA Act.

DTI-CB Director Lilian Salonga highlighted that the five-day Integrated Capability Training at the University of Mindanao aims to initiate and propagate the adoption of the PQA Framework, elevate organizational performance, bridge performance gaps, develop technical competencies, and inspire organizations to aspire for the PQA.

"Mindanao, with its promising organizations and economic vigor, is not merely a contributor but a pivotal player in propelling the Philippines toward global competitiveness. The stories of growth, resilience, and excellence we witness in this region are not isolated tales but chapters in a larger narrative of a nation on the rise," Dir. Salonga added.

During the event, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, represented by his key staff, Mr. Romeo Lintapan from Davao City Investment & Promotion Center, expressed his support for the PQA Program, stating that the activity "is a significant step towards achieving our goal of organizational excellence. It provides us with the necessary tools and knowledge to elevate our organizations to new heights of competitiveness and success. It is an opportunity for us to learn, share, and grow together as we strive to achieve our common goals."

The City Government of Davao was joined by other government organizations in signing the manifesto, including the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Eastern Mindanao, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office No. XI, Cooperative Development Authority Region XI, Department of Trade and Industry Region XI, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office XI, and Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism – BARMM.

They were joined by non-government organizations, including the Davao Association of Colleges and Universities Network (DACUN), Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCI), Mindanao Association for Quality (MAQ) Inc., ICT Davao, Inc., and the Philippine Quality Award Foundation, Inc.

Representatives from PQA Recipients, such as the University of Mindanao, Bukidnon State University, Ciudad Medical Zamboanga, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region XI, Department of Science & Technology Regional Office No. XI, and Mindanao Corrugated Fibreboard, Inc., were also present.

The Philippine Quality Award Program, established in 1997, is a national award program that recognizes the achievements of public and private sector organizations in their journey towards performance excellence. To date, 13 organizations in Mindanao have been recognized by the PQA, with 1 recipient for Performance Excellence (Level 4), 1 recipient for Mastery in Quality Management (Level 3), 6 recipients for Proficiency in Quality Management (Level 2), and 5 recipients for Commitment to Quality Management (Level 1).

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