President Aquino Leads 17th Philippine Quality Awards Conferment Ceremonies

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday led the 17th Philippine Quality Awards (PQA) conferment ceremonies held at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

In his speech during the ceremony, the President said he was pleased to know that recipients of this year’s awards came from various sectors.

“Today, we are recognizing more than just financial or operational decisions that have paid off. We are recognizing your pursuit of quality in the most profound sense of the word—because it does not only mean a stronger institution, a larger share in the market, or a higher quality of performance, but an infinitely higher quality of life for more Filipinos,” he said.

This year’s awardees come from the sectors of electronics, packaging, and education, and including a government agency.

The PQA Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Management was conferred on ROHM Electronics Philippines, Inc., SMC Yamamura Fuso Molds Corporation and STMicroelectronics, Inc.; while the PQA Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management went to the Department of Science and Technology–Region II, Colegio de San Juan de Letran–Manila, and Lyceum of the Philippines–Laguna.

The PQA, the country’s highest level of recognition given to organizations for performance excellence, was patterned after the prestigious Baldrige Performance Excellence Program of the United States.

The award is being managed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its Pool of Assessors consists of leading Philippine business, public sector, education, and health care experts, and individuals selected from industry, professional, and trade organizations; government agencies; and other non-profit groups.

Assisting the President during the awarding ceremony were DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo; DTI Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal, Jr.; Development Academy of the Philippines President and PQA Award Administrator for Public Sector Antonio Kalaw, Jr.; Philippine Society for Quality Vice President and PQA Administrator for Private Sector Ma. Tesera Bagaman; PQA Board of Judges Chairman Cristino Panlilio; and PQA Award Foundation President Angelito Sarmiento. PND (ag)