TAGUIG CITY, Metro Manila—PNOC remains steadfast in strengthening its commitment to continuous improvement with an awareness session and in-depth training on ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) and Internal Quality Audit on March 3-5, 2025. This course equipped PNOC employees with principles and best practices of QMS to enhance processes and drive efficiency within the company.

The first day of the course welcomed newly hired employees, process owners, and QMS team members, providing them with an essential understanding of the international standards. Meanwhile, the following sessions focused on the in-depth application of quality management and internal auditing techniques for the QMS team.

In his opening message, PNOC President and CEO Oliver B. Butalid underscored the importance of going beyond compliance and integrating the standards as a system that supports the thrusts of the company. “We have two overarching objectives now that PNOC is in transition. We must transform into an entrepreneurial company and systematically pursue impact projects in a cost-effective manner,” he stressed.

The training was led by Mr. Gilmore Rivera, Operations Director of SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc., an expert in management systems with over 20 years of experience in auditing, training, and mentoring organizations on ISO standards. Emphasizing the importance of a strong quality culture, Rivera guided the PNOC workforce through key management principles.

As part of the training, the QMS team enhanced their auditing capabilities by developing essential skills for pre-audit planning, audit execution, and post-audit evaluations. They participated in hands-on exercises focused on preparing audit programs, audit plans, and checklists. Additionally, they gained key insights into conducting audit meetings, reviewing non-conformance responses, and verifying corrective actions to ensure long-term effectiveness.

Throughout the learning sessions, Rivera emphasized the importance of implementing appropriate controls based on the level of risk, stating, “The higher the risks, the higher the controls. Organizations must ensure that their QMS is not just compliant but also adaptable to potential risks, reinforcing measures where they are needed most.” His insights reinforced the need for PNOC to take a proactive approach in strengthening its processes and ensuring continuous improvement.

Held in line with the recent launch of PNOC’s Quality Process Flows, the training played a crucial role in preparing employees to effectively implement and sustain these process improvements.

With this initiative, PNOC intends to ensure that QMS is a dynamic system, consistently reviewed and improved, laying the groundwork for a structured, efficient, and forward-thinking company.