CEBU, Philippines - Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR) has recently been accredited by the International Organization Standardization, being the first cargo handling company in the Visayas and Mindanao port industry to be certified by such.
Last June 13, 2012, OPASCOR achieved an ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification which was handed by the ISO certifying body, TUV Rheinland, after it successfully passed two audits that were scheduled on December 19, 2011 and May 30 – 31, 2012.
ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and other requirements while aiming to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system.
“OPASCOR’s undertaking to voluntarily seek ISO Certification is a testament of its commitment to improve the quality of its services and meet its customers’ requirements. We are happy to say that this worker’s enterprise is only the second cargo-handling company in the country that has obtained a certification from ISO”, OPASCOR President & General Manager Atty. Tomas Riveral said.
The company had partnered with AGF Consulting Group - Philippines, a training and consulting company, that serves around 800 clients from different industry sectors to implement best practices in an organization.
AGF – Philippines General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Jong Fernandez Jr. lauded the dedication and willingness of OPASCOR to be ISO – accredited.
“We were impressed with how dedicated they were in getting the ISO certification even though no customers have required them yet. It required an organizational effort from the president down to the security guard and they were very cooperative since they fully understood the benefit. Wa mi maglisod sa ila. We see they really want it and we are confident they would get it,” he told The Freeman.
He cited that the ISO – certification is a “tedious” process since it includes the development of the required ISO documentations such as system manual and key processes, strategic process planning and identification of critical processes, creation of quality objectives, target and programs based on the company’s quality policy, process improvement, internal quality audit, corrective and preventive action reporting process and management review.
Aside from having another priority on top of their existing work, he noted that the most crucial part for ISO – certified companies like OPASCOR is the sustainability and improvement of the system.
Fernandez expressed his optimism that OPASCOR will be able to maintain it since they already developed the discipline and willingness.
He added that such accreditation shall benefit the customers, employees and the organization as a whole since it provides a guaranteed, consistent assurance for high-quality products and services, high customer satisfaction, high workplace efficiency, higher morale and better productivity, efficient compliance, prestige and reputation.
With the accreditation effective for three years, the company will still undergo monthly management reviews, quarterly internal quality audits and annual surveillance audits.
He further said that Cebu Port Authority has been encouraging other cargo handlers to be ISO – accredited but has not yet fully mandated such.
“We are really hoping others will follow soon. It is not yet strongly enforced but even different industries are already heading towards that direction,” Fernandez stated. —
(FREEMAN)