Quezon City, Metro Manila – In preparation for the upcoming third-party recertification audit of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), the DOLE Internal Quality Audit (IQA) Team conducted an internal audit of NCMB processes on March 7-8, 2024 at NCMB Central Office, Quezon City.

The audit was conducted to determine the conformity and compliance of the Board based on various internal policies, rules and regulations, and ISO 9001:2015 standards. Further, it assessed the Board on the context of its processes, identifying areas for improvements, addressing risks and opportunities, quality procedures, customer satisfaction, and management review and continuous improvement.

Internal auditor Jesus Bongcayao set the tone of the whole proceeding with his opening remarks. He made sure the top management and process owners are familiar with the objectives of the IQA and the scope of audit.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Maria Teresita Lacsamana-Cancio stressed the significance of conducting internal audits. “Audits are feared and avoided, but in contrary, audits should be welcomed and considered beneficial as they are learning opportunities for organizations that seek to improve their quality management system,” she said.

After meticulously reviewing all relevant documents and objectively determining if the findings satisfy the effectiveness of the system and the process being audited, the audit team presented their audit findings during the exit conference held on March 13, 2024. Initially, they focused on the good points and proceeded with the conformities and the observations for improvements. For six years in a row, the Board did not receive any non-compliance audit findings.

During the exit conference, the IQAs also discussed the audit observations and recommendations in the presence of the top management and process owners. They communicated the efficacy and efficiency of the quality management system, fostering a collaborative atmosphere aimed at driving continuous work process improvement.

With the Board’s thoroughness and unwavering commitment to excellence, the Internal Quality Audit for 2024 indubitably paved the way for the Board’s continued elevation of standards and smooth delivery of unparalleled service to the public.

end/nikka garcia