Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Program

23/07/2026

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, 23 July 2026 – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Bureau of Competitive Development (BCD), conducted an 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 (𝐏𝐐𝐀) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 for the senior leadership and management teams of the 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐋𝐒𝐏𝐔). The participants included university officials from LSPU's 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳, 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐚ñ𝐨𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬.

Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong provided an overview of the Performance Excellence Framework, an integrated approach to organizational performance management patterned after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) of the United States. He discussed the growing relevance of the PQA for higher education institutions, emphasizing that excellence in higher education rests on a threefold responsibility: ensuring quality that meets national standards, ensuring relevance to industry and societal needs, and advancing global competitiveness in a rapidly changing world. Darong also highlighted how the PQA enables universities to institutionalize strategic leadership, data-driven decision-making, stakeholder-focused management, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Echoing the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) position, Darong emphasized, “The PQA does not replace CHED's existing quality assurance mechanisms. Instead, it complements these initiatives by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and encouraging institutions to go beyond compliance toward global standards and best practices.” He likewise discussed how the PQA aligns with CHED's A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Framework, reinforcing institutional excellence while strengthening quality assurance initiatives. Meanwhile, Assistant Division Chief Winnalyn Mae P. Amaca guided participants through the PQA application journey, assessment process, eligibility requirements, documentation, and the stages leading to national recognition.

Representing University President Mario R. Briones, EdD, and speaking on behalf of the University's Vice Presidents, Campus Directors, Deans, and Quality Management Team, Vice President for Academic Affairs Atty. Rushid Jay S. Sancon, PhD, underscored LSPU's commitment to quality and excellence. "Quality is not just about compliance; it reflects an institution's commitment to continuous improvement and sustained excellence," he said, while reaffirming LSPU's aspiration of becoming an ASEAN university by 2030.

The Executive Briefing marks one of the many milestones in LSPU's Philippine Quality Award journey. As the University advances toward institutional excellence, the engagement reflects its commitment to embedding a culture of quality, innovation, and continuous improvement that will strengthen its contribution to national development and position it among globally competitive higher education institutions.

The PQA is the country's highest level of national recognition for exemplary organizational performance. Established through Executive Order No. 448 (1997) and institutionalized under Republic Act No. 9013, the PQA serves as the national framework for promoting performance excellence, innovation, quality, productivity, and competitiveness across both public and private sector organizations.

06/07/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗦𝗠𝗘 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! 🇵🇭

The Philippine Quality Award (PQA) supports MSMEs in strengthening systems, improving processes, and achieving excellence—helping local businesses grow, compete, and reach wider markets with quality and confidence.

𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘔𝘚𝘔𝘌𝘴, 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦!

Happy National MSME Month! 🇵🇭✨

Ngayong Hulyo, bigyang-pugay natin ang puso ng ating ekonomiya—ang ating micro, small, and medium enterprises o MSMEs. Mula sa masasarap na local delicacies hanggang sa world-class handicrafts, tampok sa bawat produkto ang sipag, husay, at talento ng Pilipino.

Kaagapay ninyo ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sa pagle-level up ng mga MSMEs, mula sa pagpapahusay ng packaging at pagpapalawak ng market reach, hanggang sa pag-roll out ng iba’t ibang trainings, trade fairs, at programa para sa patuloy na pagpapalago ng ating lokal na negosyo.

Support local, support MSMEs! 💙

12/06/2026

Sa ika-128 taon ng ating Kasarinlan, hindi lang natin ipinagdiriwang ang ating kasaysayan—ibinibida rin natin ang husay, talino, at pandaigdigang kalidad ng gawang Pilipino.

Sa pagpapalakas ng ating mga MSMEs at industriya, pinatutunayan nating ang Pilipino ay hindi lang basta malaya—tayo ay nangunguna at handang humarap sa mundo.

Maligayang Ika-128 na Araw ng Kalayaan! 🇵🇭

10/06/2026

The Bureau of Competitive Development (BCD) proudly congratulates Asec. Ma. Christina G. Aquino on her appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Tourism.

As a distinguished Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Ambassador, Asec. Aquino’s appointment is a powerful testament to her unwavering commitment to organizational excellence, global competitiveness, and the highest standards of quality management. Throughout her career, she has been a driving force in championing the PQA framework, inspiring public and private sectors alike to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and performance excellence.

As she takes on this vital national leadership role, the entire BCD family celebrates this remarkable achievement. We take great pride in seeing an esteemed PQA Ambassador help shape the future of Philippine tourism through the lens of world-class competitiveness and systemic quality.

Congratulations, Asec. 𝑴𝒂. 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑮. 𝑨𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒐! Your BCD family stands proud with you, confident that your leadership will continue to elevate the standards of service, quality, and excellence in this new chapter of public service. 🇵🇭

10/06/2026

The Department of Trade and Industry–Bureau of Competitive Development (DTI-BCD) strengthened the capabilities of Philippine Quality Award (PQA) assessors through a series of development programs aimed at ensuring high-quality and consistent assessments of organizations pursuing performance excellence.

On 3 June 2026, DTI-BCD conducted the PQA Assessors Refresher Course for new and returning assessors, providing updates on the PQA framework and assessment process. DTI National Quality and Competitiveness Division Chief Ma. Sheryl R. Santos welcomed participants and underscored their vital role in advancing quality excellence across organizations.

This was followed by the PQA Assessors Calibration Workshop on June 4, 5, and 8, which brought together more than 70 assessors nationwide. In their messages, DTI-BCD Director Lilian G. Salonga and Assistant Director Jo-Dann Darong emphasized the importance of aligning assessment practices to uphold the integrity and credibility of the PQA program.

To strengthen assessors' understanding of national development priorities, the workshop also featured discussions on the Tatak Pinoy Act and the Philippine MSME Development Landscape, led by Ronald D. Ditablan of the Tatak Pinoy Council Secretariat and Kenneth Francis A. Fernandez of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

Serving as resource person for both activities, Engr. Angelica Fraginal facilitated the discussion and guided participants through key topics including the PQA Criteria, Core Values, Evaluation Process, use of AI tools, process and results evaluation, site visits, Board of Judges presentations, and feedback report preparation.

The back-to-back activities reaffirm DTI-BCD's commitment to developing a highly competent pool of assessors capable of championing organizational excellence, innovation, and competitiveness throughout the country.

09/06/2026

The Department of Trade and Industry–Bureau of Competitive Development (DTI-BCD) successfully concluded the second run of the 2026 Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Assessors Preparatory Course (APC), with 33 participants completing the intensive five-day online training held from 18 to 22 May 2026.

Conducted in partnership with the Philippine Quality Award Foundation (PQAF), Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), and Association of Government Internal Auditors (AGIA), the course forms part of the continuing implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding among the four organizations to strengthen the country's pool of qualified PQA assessors.

The APC is a specialized capacity-building program designed to develop the competencies of potential and existing assessors in applying the PQA Performance Excellence Framework. Through a deeper understanding of the framework's criteria and assessment process, participants are equipped to evaluate organizational performance objectively and contribute to advancing quality management and excellence across sectors.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Joel C. Amante, Senior PQA Assessor, who guided participants through the principles, methodologies, and best practices of performance excellence assessment.

During the opening ceremony, DTI-BCD Director Lilian G. Salonga, DTI National Quality and Competitiveness Division Chief Ma. Sheryl R. Santos, ARTA Undersecretary Lea Grace B. Salcedo, and PQAF President Ruy Moreno emphasized the critical role of competent assessors in promoting organizational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in both public and private institutions.

Further, AGIA Secretary Andrea Malunes reaffirmed during the commencement ceremony the association's support for the APC initiative and congratulated the participants for successfully completing the course, encouraging them to apply their newly acquired knowledge in advancing quality and good governance within their respective organizations.

Building on the successful inaugural batch conducted in March 2026, the second APC reflects the growing commitment of DTI, PQAF, ARTA, and AGIA to cultivate a robust network of assessors who will help drive the Philippine Quality Award program and champion a culture of performance excellence nationwide.