The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Productivity and Development Center (PDC), was still business as usual amidst the communication and logistical challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

It started the project on the “Expansion of the ISO 9001:2015-Certified Quality Management System of the Parole and Probation Administration,” utilizing various online platforms.  On 04-05 June 2020 the DAP Project Team conducted two half-day online sessions on the “Seminar on ISO 9001:2015 QMS Implementation for the Top Management,” which imparted the importance, principles and requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS to the top management of the PPA. The customized online course, held via hosted Zoom meeting, was able to enhance the awareness of the Top Management on their roles and responsibilities in the development of a QMS certifiable to ISO 9001:2015 standard.   The unwavering support and cooperation of the PPA QMS Core Team and personnel were demonstrated by the 98 participants who intently listened and interacted in the online chat with Resource Person, Bobby Jones Domdom.   In the closing message of Arnel D. Abanto, PDC Vice President, he provided words of encouragement to the PPA that “it may be the 1st agency to complete a project using online modality.”

The enhancement of the PPA QMS documents was undertaken in the online workshops with the PPA Key Officers and Knowledge Management Team. The “Workshop on the Review and Enhancement of QMS Documentation” had about 60 participants, representing the PPA Central Office and nationwide Regional Offices and Parole and Probation Offices.  The session was successfully able to facilitate the review of the structure and controls for the PPA’s documented information which are necessary for the QMS expansion.  Specifically, the workshop resulted in the revision of the QMS  Manual, procedures and related tools.  Session materials were made accessible in the PPA Google Classroom.

Angela Vargas, DAP Project Manager, said that, “To add to these project milestones, another Workshop on Risk-Based Quality Planning is scheduled to be implemented on 2-3 July 2020,”xxxx