NGCP gets int'l certification for management systems

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has received an international certification for its operation, maintenance and expansion program.

The independent certification is a step towards NGCP’s goal of becoming a leading power transmission facility in Southeast Asia, the company said.

In a statement, NGCP said it received its Integrated Management System (IMS) certification last week from TUV Rheinland Philippines.

TUV is a third-party auditing firm specializing in international standards accreditation.

Specifically, the country’s sole transmission service provider and power system operator was certified in three management systems: Quality Management System (ISO 9001: 2008), Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001:2007) and Environmental Management System (ISO 14001: 2004).

“The three management systems ensure consistency in implementing procedures and policies on the corporation’s technical and non-technical operations,” NGCP said.

“With the IMS certification, power customers and the public are assured that NGCP’s services are delivered with utmost quality, with due consideration to the environment and the safety of its employees and stakeholders,” it added.

“As an IMS-certified company, NGCP moves one step closer towards its goal of becoming the strongest power transmission facility in Southeast Asia,” said NGCP president and chief executive Henry Sy Jr.

The certification covers the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the nationwide transmission, which includes support functions of various NGCP groups like the planning, system operations and engineering groups.

For NGCP chief technical officer Wen Bo, the certification is a tool for “continuous improvement of business processes and overall performance.”

Twenty corporate procedures of the NGCP were IMS-certified, including quality and safety management, purchasing, training and development, emergency preparedness and corporate performance management.

“These procedures passed TUV’s assessment and are now at par with international standards,” NGCP said.

The grid operator started the application for certification in March 2011.

After two rounds of certification audits, TUV recommended NGCP to be IMS-certified last February.

NGCP operates the transmission business of the National Transmission Corp. Its partner State Grid Corp. of China operates regional control centers in China at the heart of urbanized cities.