The Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) once again achieved a significant milestone for being one of the few organizations who is conferred the prestigious Philippine Quality Award (PQA) – Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Management (23rd Cycle). The award was given by Secretary Ramon M. Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in behalf of His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Republic of the Philippines, via Facebook Live stream on November 25, 2021.
The PQA is the highest form of national recognition given to public and business organizations for outstanding quality performance. It was designed to challenge Philippine organizations to achieve world-class excellence by continuously improving quality management system. The search for PQA awardees was established in 1997 through Executive Order No. 448 by then President Fidel V. Ramos.
“The Philippine Quality Award was established 24 years ago with the main goal of creating a national system of awards as specific strategy to promote quality excellence in organizations in the country. Likewise, it will provide a framework for assessing organizational performance in recognizing quality excellence,” DTI Secretary Lopez underscored in his inspirational message.
DOST-FNRI applied for the award in 2020 highlighting its innovations, achievements, and improvements in seven key areas which comprise the PQA categories for performance excellence. The criteria for performance excellence includes: (1) leadership; (2)strategic planning; (3) customer focus; (4) measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; 5) workforce focus; (6) process management; and (7) results. The Institute’s core competencies – nutritional assessment; food and nutrition research and development; intervention models and efficacy trials; food and nutrition technology and knowledge diffusion; and provision of science and technology services in food and nutrition – in relation to its mandates were assessed as to the Institute’s performance.
The strengths recognized by the assessors were DOST-FNRI’s demonstration of citizen/customer-focused excellence through various systematic methods of listening to its clients and engaging its stakeholders; and the Institute’s various approaches to support its human resources that exemplify its adherence to its core values EATS (Excellence, Action-oriented, Teamwork, Sincerity).
This year’s Philippine Quality Award Virtual Conferment Ceremony recognized the 13 agencies and organizations across the country that successfully bagged the award for the 22nd (2019) and 23rd (2020) cycle of the PQA. Also awarded from the DOST system are DOST-Region 8 (Level I, 22nd cycle), DOST-Region 11 (Level II, 22nd cycle), and DOST-MIMAROPA (Level II, 23rd cycle).
DOST-FNRI Director IV and Scientist II Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa received the glass trophy in recognition of the Institute’s Proficiency in Quality Management from Director Lilian G. Salonga of the Department of Trade and Industry – Competitiveness Bureau (DTI-CB), in a turnover ceremony held at the DOST-FNRI Mini Theater on October 19, 2021. The awarding of the trophy was supposed to be done during the conferment ceremony at the Malacañang Palace but due to pandemic restrictions, it was conducted at the recipient’s home office. Other guests who witnessed the occasion included the Institute’s Management Committee (MANCOM) members, project members, and other employees who joined virtually.
DTI-CB Director Salonga, in her message during the turnover ceremony, said the PQA is a seal of excellence awarded to organizations whose performance is comparable with those leading organizations abroad and that this is in pursuit of our country’s quest for global competitiveness.
“Achieving the PQA for performance excellence means being the best among the best and by reaching Level II means that you have documented and you have a solid approach to systems level quality and productivity management and has really implemented quality programs that are geared towards your improvement of plans and procedures. That is something that is truly commendable and noteworthy,” Director Salonga said.
She also emphasized that the recognition is a testament to the efforts and dedication of the DOST-FNRI Management and the entire workforce in creating the culture of quality in the organization and for perseverance to provide quality services to the stakeholders.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Agdeppa said that this is the Institute’s first application for the PQA award and it paid back with a major leap to a Level II recognition. “This recognition is not only most welcomed but also in honor and recognition of all the hard work that everybody is doing here in DOST-FNRI. We assure you that DOST-FNRI will continue to live on with the legacy of our former leaders and to be at the forefront in creating a well-nourished nation through food and nutrition research, innovative and transformative knowledge, information, and technologies,” Dr. Agdeppa said in her message.
DOST-FNRI is among the DOST agencies that have embarked on the challenge of performance excellence and global competitiveness through the adoption of the PQA Performance Excellence Framework.
“May we all continue to embrace this pursuit for excellence, embrace our desire for quality, and do what is best for our customers, community, and our country,” Dr. Agdeppa said as her closing challenge to all.
Together with its various ISO certifications, the PQA recognition is a testament of the integrity and quality of DOST-FNRI’s products and services.
