DA-10’s three laboratories prepare for ISO certification.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 is gearing up for ISO 17025:2017 Certification for all three of its laboratories this year.

 

After two years of ISO prep up for the Feed Chemical Analysis Laboratory (FCAL) and the Regional Soil Laboratory (RSL), Dr. Alanita Jumalon, DA-10 ILD Chief bared in a meeting with the DA-10 Management Monday, July 18, that the division will also include the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) in their pursuit for ISO certification.

 

“We intend to avail of the ISO Certification so we can assure our clients that our laboratory services are at par with international standards. Having ISO-certified laboratories means that we are capable of providing accurate and reliable test results to our clients,” Dr. Jumalon said.

 

She added that the team from the RADDL will undergo an Internal Audit within the week with the guidance of Mr. Aldwin B. Tagapan, an external consultant from Synergy at Work and Learning.

 

Documentation and evaluation of the ILD services procedure and protocol, availability of standard facilities and equipment, and ILD personnel’s competence are the key focus areas of the audit.

 

Support services provided by the Human Resource, General Services and Procurement sections, and the Information, Communications and Technology Unit (ICTU) to the ILD will also be evaluated to determine any area for improvement.

 

The audit findings will be presented to the DA-10 Management end of this week to address internal and external issues material to the ISO Certification.

 

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, the laboratory services provided by the ILD are fundamental to the development and sustainability of agricultural projects of the DA, providing project implementors and farmers with science-based modalities for improved agricultural production.

 

The DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga said she is confident in the agency’s ILD team in their quest for ISO Certification.

 

“The DA-10 Management will provide whatever support is needed by the ILD for this endeavor. This is a significant mileage for us towards making the entire DA-10 an ISO-certified agency” she averred.

 

In 2021, the department’s two laboratories, FCAL and RSL were awarded a Certificate of Authority to Operate by the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry which marks the first DA regional office nationwide to attain for both of its laboratories.

 

The ILD is due for ISO Certification assessment by the Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) in October this year.#(Azbie Talib)