Volume VII * No. 6 www.nta.da.gov.ph November - December 2016 NTA receives recognition award for ISO certification HE National Tobacco Administration was awarded Certificate of Recognition by the Govern- ment Quality Management Committee (GQMC) for successfully attaining ISO 9001:2008 certification for its Quality Management System (QMS), during the 4th Recognition Ceremony, Tgraced by Vice President Maria Leonora Robredo, held at the LBP Auditorium, LBP Building in Malate, Manila on November 10. This GQMC gave the recognition to the government agencies, including government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges, and local government units (LGUs), whose QMS have attained ISO 9001 QMS Certifications from January 2012 to October 2016. NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, along with CorPlan Manager and Quality Management Representative (QMR) Rex Antonio P. Teoxon, received the award from Budget Secretary and GQMC Chair Benjamin E. Diokno. Secretary Diokno said that the awardees were specially recognized for achieving the goal of Government Quality Management Program (GQMP) Top: Administrator Zaragoza and QMR Representative Rex Antonio P. Teoxon receive the of strengthening institutional capacities Certificate of Recognition for NTA from the GQMC Chair and Budget Secretary Benjamin E. of public sector organizations in delive- Diokno (center). Also in photo are DAP Senior Vice President Magdalena L. Mendoza and Deputy Executive Secretary Alberto A. Bernardo (1st and 2nd from right). N. E. Valdez ring citizen-focused public services and in implementing international standards- from Teoxon during the Monday flag- Team headed by CorPlan Manager based quality management system. raising ceremony at the NTA Central Teoxon (QMR Representative) and The International Organization for Office in Quezon City. Administrative Department Manager Dr. Standardization (ISO) certification for The NTA ISO 9001:2008 Certification Cristina C. Lopez (Deputy QMR). national agencies, executive offices, covers the NTA Central Office and Other members of the Core Team GOCCs, state universities and colleges, the Farm Technology and Services are the Task Group Chairpersons, and LGUs, is in compliance with Department in Batac City. The certifi- namely, Imelda N. Riñen, Technology Executive Order No. 605 s. 2007 institu- cation is dated September 19, 2016 and Development, Extension and Production tionalizing the structure, mechanisms and has validity until September 15, 2018, Support Services; Dinah E. Pichay, standards to implement GQMP. ISO is a subject to satisfactory surveillance audits. Support to Operations, Overview of UK-based independent certification body “Achieving the quality standards Quality Procedure; Dr. Roberto R. and the world’s largest developer and reinforces NTA’s commitment to deliver Bonoan, Research and Development, publisher of international standards. the highest quality of service to all our Control of Frontline Services; Maybelen In her message to the awardees, Vice stakeholders and continually improving B. Dictaan, Regulations; Dr. Giovanni B. President Robredo reminded the officials its business processes,” Zaragoza said. Palabay, Branch Operations; Ma. Teresa that the word “government” should not The following frontline services B. Laudencia, Management of Resources simply refer to all of us who are working are covered by the ISO 9001:2008 to Support QMS; Priscilla S. Esguerra, in government. “It is about how we Certification: Regulatory Services; Management Information System; and interact with the public. It is about how Research and Development; and Raquel Leilani F. Señga, Customers we solve things together when we can’t Technology Assistance, Extension and Satisfaction Determination. do things on our own,” she explained. Production Support Services. Also cited by the Administrator were Three days before the awarding cere- Zaragoza thanked all the members the members of the QMS Secretariat, mony, Administrator Zaragoza formally of the NTA family for their valuable namely, Fortuna C. Benosa, chairperson; received the Certification issued by contributions in its success. He Manuel C. Ramiscal, vice-chairperson; Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) commended the NTA QMS Core Pls turn to page 2 November - December 2016 1 NTA receives recognition award for ISO certification ... from page 1 and Perla C. Manzon, Charity P. Garcia, Vivien F. Ferareza, Teresita D. Dela Rosa, and Rosalie P. Catura, members. NTA started the development and implementation of the Development of QMS Certifiable to ISO in September 2015. This was brought about by the call of the national government for all its departments, bureaus and other agencies to be ISO certified, and aligned with its aim of streamlining procedures in the government to improve public service delivery and in ensuring good Top: Administrator Zaragoza receives the governance. Certification issued by Société Générale The agency went through quality de Surveillance (SGS) from CorPlan management system awareness program Manager Rex Antonio P. Teoxon, with some members of the QMS Core Team (from left): and training courses on internal quality Finance Department Manager Ma. Teresa audit facilitated by the Development B. Laudencia, NTA Employees Association Academy of the Philippines (DAP) on President Raquel F. Señga, Internal Audit the first quarter this year. It completed Manager Dinah E. Pichay, QMS Secretariat vice-chair Manuel C. Ramiscal, and the stage 1 audit in July, then the rigorous Regulation Department Manager Maybelen stage 2 audit by the Société Générale de B. Dictaan. Left: Administrator Zaragoza Surveillance (SGS) a month after. puts a SGS ISO sticker on a glass door of Text/Photos: Neyo E. Valdez the Training Room. N. E. Valdez NTA yeAr-eNd coNvocATioN 2016 TA held its 2016 year-end convo- Señga reminded the employees the true Edgardo C. Guia, highest pinning; Ncation on December 19, with a meaning of the celebration: “peace and Individual (Ladies): Teresita D. Dela simple but fun-filled program. reconciliation, humility and forgiveness, Rosa, champion; Carmelita V. Albano, Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, patience and understanding, giving and highest single; Imelda B. Urubio, highest Deputy Administrator Atty. Everin sharing and unity and harmony.” She triple; and Charito M. Salazar, highest F. Molina and members of the NTA also thanked the Administrator and the pinning. Team (Mixed): Aqua Blue team Governing Board joined central office entire top management for the benefits of Mejia, Alejandro S. Cristobal, Albano, employees in the simple celebration. the employees received this year, such and Marilene V. Sansano, Champion; Highlights of the annual activity were as the performance-based incentive pay, Navy Blue team of Ramon L. Fernandez, dance performances from the different groceries, year-end bonus, among others. Jay C. Darlucio, Dina B. dela Reyna, departments, awarding of winners in the Administrator Zaragoza and Adminis- and Justito A. Ambros, Second Place; sportsfests, and raffle of gifts. trative Department Manager Dr. Cristina and White Team of Guia, Dela Rosa, Zaragoza in his message, commended C. Lopez joined Señga in the handing out Marioflor F. Molina and Roy Antonio V. the employees for their dedication and of cash prizes to the team and individual Teneza, Third Place. collective effort that made the agency winners of the 2016 Administrator’s Cup The provincial branches also a proud recipient of an ISO 9001 QMS Duckpin Bowling Tournament, which conducted their respective year-end Certification this year. Atty. Molina, on was held from October to November. convocation programs during the week. the other hand, highlighted his talk with Winners are as follows: Individual In NTA Cagayan, the Branch Office inspiring message of peace and love. (Men): Excelsior R. Mejia, champion; staff headed by Manager Dr. Corazon R. EANTA President Raquel Leilani F. Mejia, highest single and highest triple; Riazonda celebrated Christmas with gift- giving at the Reception and Study Center, a child-caring institution in Lingu, Solana, Cagayan. National Gov’t Employees Week Meanwhile, EANTA members kicked off the National Government Employees Week with fun activities, such as its own version of the Amazing Race and Bingo games on December 6. This year’s theme is “Kawani: Kaagapay at Lakas ng Pamahalaan Tungo sa Kasarinlan at Kaunlaran.” Three EANTA members, Excelsior R. Mejia, Charito M. Salazar, and Ramon The Industrial Research Department headed by Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan (6th from left) receives from Administrator Zaragoza and Dr. Cristina C. Lopez cash prize for the department’s dance L. Fernandez participated in the National presentation. In photo, from left: Excelsior R. Mejia, Justitio A. Ambros, Imelda B. Urubio, Dina Convention of Government Employees B. Dela Reyna, Leandro D. Bagaoisan, Dr. Bonoan, Raquel Leilani F. Señga, Administrator held in Mall of Asia,Pasay City on Zaragoza, Dr. Lopez, Alejandro S. Cristobal, Myrna O. Lozano, and Ramon L. Fernandez. December 9. 2 November - December 2016 EDITORIAL NTA joins RP delegation in COP7 Delhi NTA recognized for its Quality HE National Tobacco Administra- Ttion, as an integral part of the Management System Department of Agriculture (DA), joined the Philippine Delegation to the seventh iHE whole NTA beamed with pride upon session of the Conference of the Parties receipt of the invitation from the Chair of the (COP7) to the WHO Framework TT Government Quality Management Committee