The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has intensified its commitment to delivering quality, transparent, and peoplecentered public service as government employees were oriented on the province’s Quality Policy, Quality Objectives, and the upcoming ISO 9001:2015 Stage 1 Audit.
This orientation forms part of the provincial government’s continuing efforts to institutionalize excellence in governance through an effective Quality Management System, reinforcing the administration of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. in providing Tama kag Maayo nga Serbisyoto every South Cotabateño.
During the recent Monday Convocation Program, Grace L. Maniego, Internal Auditor IV and Provincial ISO Program InCharge, emphasized that the Quality Policy is more than an ISO requirement:
“The heart of our Quality Policy is our commitment to provide Tama kag Maayo nga Serbisyo to the people of South Cotabato. Every employee, regardless of position, shares the responsibility of delivering services with integrity, transparency, professionalism, and competence. Our success is measured by how satisfied our constituents are with the services they receive.”
She explained that the Quality Policy serves as a guiding principle for every government employee, ensuring that programs, policies, and services remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with the needs of the people. Maniego also highlighted the importance of maintaining accessible feedback mechanisms, including Client Satisfaction Measurement Reports, suggestion boxes, official email addresses, telephone hotlines, and the Provincial Government’s official website, allowing citizens to actively participate in improving government services.
She further announced that the Provincial Government has reached another significant milestone in its QMS implementation after more than four years of preparation. On July 31, 2026, the Provincial Government will undergo its Stage 1 Audit (Documentation Adequacy Audit) in pursuit of ISO 9001:2015 Certification. This audit will determine whether the province’s documented QMS complies with international standards and is ready to proceed to the more comprehensive Stage 2 Audit, where actual implementation and effectiveness of government processes will be evaluated by an independent certification body.
A memorandum from the Office of the Provincial Governor encourages representatives from each office to participate in the remote audit proceedings, beginning with an opening meeting, followed by the formal audit, and concluding with the presentation of the Stage 1 Audit Report, where auditors will announce whether the Provincial Government has qualified to advance to the next certification stage.
The orientation also underscored the importance of process standardization in ensuring efficient government operations. Alyssa Mari M. Fernandez, Administrative Aide IV of the Office of the Provincial Information Officer, shared how maintaining documented procedures, particularly the office’s Citizens Charter, contributes to better public service delivery:
“Maintaining an organized process flow through our Citizens Charter helps us deliver services more efficiently while strengthening accountability, minimizing errors, and improving risk management. Standardized procedures allow every office to work consistently and ensure that our clients receive reliable and quality public service.”
The Provincial Government continues to integrate technology, performance management, and continuous capacity building among employees as part of its longterm commitment to organizational excellence. The ISO initiative supports Governor Tamayo’s governance agenda of transparent, accountable, and responsive public service by institutionalizing systems that improve operational efficiency while ensuring that every government service remains accessible and beneficial to the people.
With the Stage 1 Audit approaching, provincial officials and employees reaffirmed their collective commitment to achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification, further strengthening South Cotabato’s reputation as a province that prioritizes quality governance, continuous improvement, and genuine public service for every constituent.
