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2nd SEMESTER ISSUE

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FEBRUARY 4, 2022

NwSSU FACES ISO AUDIT

OK for RECERTIFICATION NwSSU underwent the ISO 9001:2015 Virtual Audit and is recommended for recertification by the SOCOTEC Certification International Philippines. F U LL S TO RY O N PAG E 2

REGISTRAR UNDER AUDIT. University Registrar Engr. Ryan Emil T. Zosa IV responds to the queries of Ms. Laarni Narido, lead auditor of the ISO Recertification Audit. The Registrar’s Office was one of the units which underwent the remote audit. (PHOTO BY: RICHARD KERBY CADIZ)

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NwSSU faces virtual ISO Audit

ISO Certified: It’s all in the name

Intensified preparations for ISO Virtual Audit

Both the Main Campus and San Jorge Campus faced the scrutiny of auditors during the one-day virtual audit with aim of retaining its ISO certification.

In an interview, university key officials explained the university’s ISO journey and its impact to the school’s operation.

Offices and units of Northwest Samar State University intensified their efforts in preparing for the ISO Recertification audit.

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NwSSU recommended for ISO Recertification BY: NICK SEBASTIAN C. MONSANTO

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The result of this audit is that the organization is still recommended for continuous certification. Laarni T. Narido Lead Auditor for NwSSU ISO Recertification

NORTHWEST Samar State University (NwSSU) underwent the ISO 9001:2015 Virtual Audit and is recommended for recertification by the SOCOTEC Certification International Philippines. Lead Auditor Laarni T. Narido revealed that NwSSU is recommended for recertification and generally compliant with the audit criteria with minor non-conformities and no major non-conformities. “The result of this audit is that the organization is still recommended for continuous

certification,” Narido said during the one-day remote audit held Friday, February 4, 2022. NwSSU Vice President for Administrative Affairs Dr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, in his closing remarks, assured the commitment of the university in providing quality service. “Obtaining the ISO is a daunting process, how much more maintaining it from actual struggles in the concept of quality standard and to view it as a complete system. But I am proud that we

have collaboratively accepted the challenges,” Dr. Dimakiling said. Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, university president, expressed his gratitude to those who collectively worked on ISO goals: students, teaching and non-teaching personnel, internal quality audit team, and key officials of the university. The audit team was composed of Laarni T. Narido, Ringo Pabua, Joel Ravanilla, Ingrid Manglapus, Olive Eco, Dr. Mark Vera, Robert Jarquio, Merian Domingo, and Dr. Ryan Liba.

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Pecayo: NwSSU must set the limitations, not the pandemic BY: JOAQUEN S. CARPIO, JR.

“THROUGH this ISO 9001:2015 Recertification, our desires and aspirations for NwSSU must set the limitations, not the pandemic.” These are the exact words of Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, NwSSU University president, during his welcome remarks for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recertification virtual audit conducted by SOCOTEC Certification International on Friday morning, February 4, 2022. Dr. Pecayo hopes that the activity will enable everyone in the university to work together as a T.E.A.M. as part of the renewed institutional enthusiasm amid the current health crisis. “May this event help us stay focused and work together as a T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) as we journey towards a progressive and successful university,” Pecayo stated. Dr. Pecayo noted that the event is a milestone for the university and a chance to improve its potential and skills. “Today, marks another milestone to the whole NwSSU community as we

WORK AS A TEAM. NwSSU President Benjamin L. Pecayo delivers his message during the opening program of the ISO Recertification Audit. He hopes that the event will enable everyone in the university to work as a TEAM.

come together for new beginnings…new beginnings that could help us improve our potentials and skills especially in this pandemic where all of us are challenged on the difficulties it caused to the whole academic community,” Dr. Pecayo said. “Throughout our time here in NwSSU, we are undoubtedly going to be faced with new beginnings. A ‘new beginning’ implies that there is a shift

or a change from what we were once accustomed to, and rarely easy for us to emotionally or spiritually accept or embrace these new beginnings at a quick pace, whether as an individual or a group,” Dr. Pecayo further said. In his opening statement, Dr. Pecayo echoed the words of Henry Ford saying that coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.

Dr. Rodolfo F. Dollado Jr., NwSSU quality assurance director, said during the opening program of the virtual audit. He also emphasized that this recertification audit is needed because the ISO 9001:2015 Certificate of NwSSU will expire on March 29, 2022. This is three years the university first acquired its ISO certificate. SOCOTEC Lead Auditor Laarni T. Narido spearheaded the audit briefing where she introduced the other eight auditors, namely Ringo Pabua, Joel Ravanilla, Ingrid Manglapus, Olive Eco,

Dr. Mark Vera, Robert Jarquio, Merian Domingo, and Dr. Ryan Liba. The simultaneous audit of the different offices of the NwSSU-Main Campus proceeded right after the opening program. Included in the audit for the main campus are the Top Management, Finance and Services (Budget, Accounting, Cashiering), School Plant Facilities and Infrastructure Development Office,

NwSSU faces virtual ISO Audit BY: CLARISSA JOY V. LEGASPI

NORTHWEST Samar State University (NwSSU) underwent a one-day virtual ISO Recertification Audit conducted by the SOCOTEC International Philippines on Friday, February 4, 2022. Both the Main Campus and San Jorge Campus faced the scrutiny of auditors who checked the implementation of the university’s Quality Management System (QMS). “When recertified, we are confident enough that we can continue to deliver quality services to our clients and other stakeholders of the university,”

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IN PHOTOS NwSSU’s ISO Recertification Audit 2022

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SPECIAL REPORT

ISO CERTIFIED: It’s All in the Name BY: EUNICE MARSHA M. ALORRO & LAURENCE CRYSTAL V. DY

S NORTHWEST Samar State University (NwSSU) firmly stands with its vision to provide quality education and services to its clientele, NwSSU underwent its first ISO Recertification of its Quality Management System by SOCOTEC Certification Philippines Inc. on February 4, 2022, via Zoom. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an organization responsible for publishing standards for various industries and universities. Fundamentally, this certification affirms an emphasis on the performance of the institution as a whole. In an interview by THECOURIER, two university key officials explained the university’s ISO journey and its impact to the school’s operation especially in delivering services to the students. Dr. Rodolfo Dollado, quality assurance director, mentioned that the ISO Certification was initially only for organizations until former President Gloria Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 605, s. 2007, which states that State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are likewise enjoined to establish ISO Quality Management Systems (ISOQMS) and be certified accordingly. “ISO certified organizations are confident that they are catering quality service to their clientele,” said Dr. Dollado explaining the rationale of having

NwSSU virtual ISO Audit FROM PAGE 3

ISO certification for organization. It was on March 30, 2019 when the university first acquired its ISO 9001:2015 certificate. The certificate is valid for three years and is set to expire on March 29, 2022. QUALITY SERVICE Ms. Florabel Canaman, member of the university’s Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) team, explained that NwSSU’s successful ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2019 paved the way for the streamlining and standardization of processes as well as efficient and effective delivery of services to its clientele; primarily the students. “So kung dati diba yung estudyante pabalik-balik sa proseso, papunta dito, papunta doon. With the different things we did towards this certification, mas na-streamline, na-simplify yung processes,” said Canaman. “With ISO, mastandardize na lahat yan,” Dr. Dollado added, explaining that the standardization of processes covers all the departments of the university. RECERTIFICATION This 2022, NwSSU underwent its first ISO 9001:2015 Recertification to confirm the continued conformity and effectiveness of the management, three years after the University was initially certified last 2019. Although the university has un-

Students Affairs and Services, University Registrar’s Office and Admission, Research and Extension, Supply and Property Office, Procurement Office, Human Resource Management Office, Records Office, Library Services, and University Motorpool. Selected academic units and programs were also included in the audit, namely College of Management (BS in Tourism Management), College of

dergone the same process before, the process was not without the challenges encountered as the team looks forward to the continual improvement of the university’s services. “There is higher expectation on how the university conforms with the criteria, ensuring that the quality management system is implemented, considering that we have went through about two surveillances after we were certified,” said Canaman. When asked about the problems they encountered during the preparation for the recertification, Canaman responded: “I would not say problems but perhaps challenges in terms of preparation, challenges on things we identified internally as to what needs to be improved and how we would implement it, considering the limited sources that we have.” ISO CERTIFIED UNIVERSITY “I think it’s something that the students should be proud of. Say he or she is enrolled in an ISO Certified university. If a particular university is ISO certified, then you are confident enough that the university that you are in, really provides better services for the students,” said Dr. Dollado. Dr. Dollado also emphasized that the success of this endeavor is for the students as primary clientele, saying it adds value to the students and to the university in general.

Computing and Information Sciences (BS in Computer Science, BS in Information System), and Graduate School (Master in Public Management). A separate simultaneous audit was also conducted for San Jorge Campus wherein San Jorge Campus Academic Unit (Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education), San Jorge Campus Registrar’s Office, and Campus Guidance and Testing Center were included in the audit process.

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NwSSU-SJ undergoes ISO Audit CONTRIBUTED CONTENTS FROM THE SUNRISE THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF NWSSU SAN JORGE CAMPUS

The Academic Unit of NwSSU San Jorge Campus specifically the Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education program underwent the ISO recertification audit with the auditor, Mr. Robert Jarquio. The auditees that are involved are the program chairperson of the BTLEd Program, Ms. Jayrose P. Ortiz, and Dr. Elvie T. Bejar as well as the faculties who are teaching BTLEd subjects. The audit focused on the guidelines in implementing the program, the teaching and learning methodologies that the instructor use during the class instruction, and the pieces of evidence of the students’ output.

In the afternoon session, the office of the Campus registrar was scrutinized by the lead auditor, Ms. Laarni Narido, together with the Campus Registrar, Engr. Elegrecio Timan and its support staff, Mr. Ramil Apilado, Ms. Rizalyn Japzon, and Ms. Jerlyn Dohinog. The audit looked into the processes of the office specifically on the processing and releasing of the student’s Certificate of Grades and TOR, the process of the admission and registration of students during the new normal, and the customer satisfaction result. The office also presented pieces of evidence that will support their claim on the processes of the office. In the end, a virtual tour was conducted to show what the office looks like and where did they keep the students’ records.

After the thorough scrutinization by the auditor, it was concluded that the office of the Campus Registrar confined and adapted well to their processes and services especially during the new normal. With that being said, a good level of conformance was given to the office.

NwSSU intensifies preparations for ISO recertification BY: NICHOL P. PANZUELO

OFFICES and units of Northwest Samar State University intensified their efforts in preparing for the ISO Recertification audit. According to the audit plan sent by the certifying company SOCOTEC Certification International Philippines, the College of Management (COM) and College of Information and Computing Sciences (CCIS) were among the selected units to be audited under the process of Management of Learning. In an interview before the day of the audit, Robin G. Mazorca, COM quality assurance coordinator, said

that the college started to upload necessary documents as evidence of the different scopes’ processes. “We are almost 100% ready for the audit,” Mazorca added. Meanwhile, Dr. Francisco Bacamante, Jr., CCIS dean, emphasized that their college is working hand-in-hand to finish all documents that prove that the college is following the implemented procedures. “This is the second time that our college (CCIS) was chosen as a sample unit to be audited. And I believe we are getting the hang of it (ISO audit),” said Dr. Bacamante in an interview.

GETTING READY. CCIS Dean Dr. Francisco Bacamante, Jr., shares their preparation for the scheduled ISO Recertification Audit. (PHOTO BY: RICHARD KERBY CADIZ)

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EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF

A.Y. 2021 – 2022, 2ND SEMESTER

Staff Writers: CRISTOPHER ARABEJO JHAZZY G. AQUINO SHAN ERIC ANN BALDOMARO DULCE AMOR DUMAGUIT VANESA BLANCO MELCHOR ALFONSO JHON BERNARD LEOPARDAS EUNICE MARSHA M. ALORRO JHON EDWARD R. ANQUILLAN ERNEST JOHN ARDIDON ARELYN RONZON DIOVEN D. CARDINAS LAURENCE CRYSTAL V. DY CLARISSA V. LEGASPI JOSHUA A. LIM DIODITO LIMPIADO DIOSDADO A. OMPAD Head, Creative Staff: GELO REUBEN N. DEL MONTE Photojournalists RICHARD KERBY B. CADIZ JR. AIVAN N. LENTEJAS Cartoonists: JOEL DAWN A. MASDO MARY MAE T. DIMAKILING JAN ANTHONY E. JUDLOMAN GYLES ADRIAN L. BALMES Media Artists: MENARD M. DEGUINO MARYLOU S. ORTILLO Broadcasters: ARIES V. BONGALAN SHAN ERIC ANN B. BALDOMARO

NHERU B. VERAFLOR Head, Student Publication

EDITORIAL

Fuel of Quality Service IT HAS been three years since Northwest implementations brought by the COVID-19 Samar State University received its ISO pandemic, students and frontline services 9001:2015 QMS certification. The recent sucin the university are still open to all of its cess of the recertification audit is a testament clientele. This is made possible because the to the continued pursuit of the university in culture of quality is also embedded in student delivering efficient and quality service to its services such as the library, medical and clientele. dental services, guidance and counseling, and Throughout the years, student organizations. the university complies Certain quality procedures with internal controls, are also followed in adminisapplicable standards, and trative offices of the university statutory requirements such as the human resources to provide the communimanagement office, budget and With the recent ty with the best service accounting offices, supply and recertification, possible. Although unseen procurement offices, and records the university should by many, establishing the office. On top of that, there are find the balance of university’s Quality Mankey officials of NwSSU who overcelebrating its successes see the progress of the school agement System (QMS) and learning from its ensures that all aspects of through numerous meetings, the school’s operation are failures for continuous operational planning, monitoring standardized. and evaluation, and internal auimprovement. For instance, in the dits, ensuring the right direction area of management for the university. of learning, all of the academic units of the The ISO certification serves as the fuel university are making sure that they adhere to that drives the entire academic community to the standards that are beneficial in achieving achieve an excellent quality service. Teaching quality education for the Norwesians. With and non-teaching personnel work hand-inthe establishment of quality procedures, dehand to deliver the utmost desired outcome. signing, developing, and implementing curricWith the recent recertification, the university ula are quality checked, ensuring a maximum should find the balance of celebrating its learning experience for the students. successes and learning from its failures for On the other side, despite the stricter continuous improvement.

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