CEBU CITY- The Region 7 office of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is expected to further improve the delivery of its services after this particular agency was accredited 1S0 9001:2008 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The recent ISO certification highlights the agency’s scope of activities including the provision of scientific and technology transfer services, science promotion, information, dissemination and scholarships.

Confirmation of the application was based on the results of the transition audit of the agency’s Quality Management System (QMS) last August 5, 2010, when auditors learned that the DoST’s QMS was able to maintain ISO 9001:2008 requirements.

The assessment results also showed the strengths of the agency’s QMS as well as activities initiated by its departments to meet quality objectives, ensuring external and internal customer satisfaction.

ISO 9001 is a set of international management standards, and a verification of an entity’s good quality management practices. In 2008, the DoST was also given ISO 9001:2000 accreditation by the ISO. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

Mayor Rates Himself 6

ILOILO CITY (PNA) – “Just a little above average or about Number 6 due to many limitations,” is how Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog rated himself in his first 100 days in office as chief of the city local government unit.

Mabilog delivered his first State of the City Address (SOCA) before the city council last week. In his first SOCA, he indicated some modest gains since he started his administration July 1 after winning the elections as new city mayor last May 10.

Mabilog said the city government is currently working on the past budget and many fiscal limitations exist, hindering his many plans and programs for the city, particularly, his 10-point development agenda for the next three years.

“Let us see and hope for good results to be seen in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as the city administration continues to implement programs especially focused on employment and livelihood, peace and order, essential infrastructure, health, education and delivery of social services,” the Iloilo city mayor said.

Negros Villages Drugs-Affected

DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) -- Ten barangays in Negros Oriental are seriously and less seriously affected by the proliferation of illegal drugs. This was reported by Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office Provincial Director Police Sr. Supt Rey Lyndon Lawas in assessing the drug problem in the province following the directive of Gov. Agustin Perdices. Seriously affected barangays are in Looc and Calindagan, all in Dumaguete City while the less seriously affected barangays are Cadawinonan in Dumaguete, where the low-cost housing project is located, Poblacion Guihulngan, barangay Awa-an in Ayungon, Poblacion Mabinay, Tandayag in Amlan, Poblacion Sibulan, North of Bacong and Poblacion Sta. Catalina.

Lawas said these barangays will be the focus of the anti-drug campaign of the provincial government. He further stressed a dual approach to the problem, that is, by running after pushers and peddlers and, at the same time, finding solutions in how to help users who are the victims.

The provincial police is also strengthening its watch on possible entry points in the province. Lawas has admitted that his men cannot cover all the shorelines of the province, thus, he will be asking the support of other law enforcement agencies to include the maritime police, the Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard.