The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) successfully passed its ISO 9001:2015 certification for 2024, maintaining it for the seventh consecutive year.

This is considered a testament to the way the DOT works to uphold the highest standards of excellence in public service.

The DOT Quality Management Systems (QMS) Third-Party Re-Certification Audit was conducted from 11th to 12th September by PT AJA Sertifikasi Indonesia-Philippine Representative Office, an ISO certification body.

As a globally recognised benchmark, the ISO 9001:2015 certification ensures that the DOT’s work processes consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. 

A sign of commitment

Tourism secretary Christina Frasco’s remarks at the recently-held recertification ceremony emphasised the DOT’s commitment to serve both local and foreign travellers in the best manner possible 

In her speech, Frasco said:“As this process of third-party recertification concludes, we are filled with a deep sense of relief, for one, but also optimism that with the right standards in place, the exercise of our functions is not only to the minimum level of compliance but rather to always exceed that which is expected of us, which is to deliver performance in terms of tourism for the country. And so, achieving and maintaining our ISO certification is not just a milestone for the Department of Tourism, but our commitment to serving with excellence.”

Necessary standards

Under Executive Order No 605 series 2007, all departments and agencies of the Executive Branch, including all government-owned and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs), are directed to adopt the ISO 9001:2000 QMS as part of the implementation of a government-wide quality management programme.

The DOT first earned the highly-regarded certification in 2018, followed by successful third-party surveillance audits in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the DOT passed its recertification audit, further maintaining its high standards of service.

By 2022 and 2023, Frasco’s first years in office, the DOT retained its certification, passing two more surveillance audits without any non-conformities.