04/05/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐/๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐:๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ข๐ญ, ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
By: Lianne Kae J. Lazona and A***n Joy M. Soliman
Continuing its commitment to deliver reliable and high-quality laboratory services, the Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region - Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (DOST Ilocos Region - RSTL), through the leadership of Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog and the supervision of Assistant Regional Director Decth-1180 P. Libunao, continues to sustain its International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025:2017 Accreditation for its Microbiological, Chemical, and Regional Metrology Laboratories (RML) through a three-day surveillance audit conducted by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), held on April 28โ30, 2026, at the DOST Ilocos Region Regional Office, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The audit was led by the PAB assessment team composed of five (5) assessors namely Ms. Florean Cunanan, team leader from Philippine Society for Microbiology, Ms. Leticia Pangilinan, team member from Phil MSTQ Inc., and the technical assessors, Mr. Emmanuel Hernandez formerly from San Miguel Brewery Inc., Mr. Arnie Despabiladeras from the Philippine Association of Food Technologists and Mr. Gerard Cruz from the Applied Calibration & Instrumentation System Inc.
Throughout the assessment, the RSTL demonstrated that it has established, documented, and consistently implements its laboratory management system for calibration, chemical, and biological testing in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and reaffirmed the continued recommendation of the following as Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) Approved Signatories, for Biological Testing, Mr. Hero D. Galamgam and Ms. Lianne Kae J. Lazona; for Chemical Testing, Ms. Lena C. Rosario; and for Calibration, Engr. Bernadine P. Suniega and Engr. Marlon R. Orpilla.
During the closing meeting, also present to oversee and support the audit was Ms. Racquel M. Espiritu, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Services, who likewise expressed support for the laboratoryโs continued commitment to maintaining compliance with international quality standards and strengthening its service delivery.
With this meaningful milestone, the DOST Ilocos Region through the RSTL continues to move forward with a clear focus on quality and service. By consistently improving its systems and investing in its people, the laboratory ensures that industries, partners, and communities can rely on results that are not only precise, but also responsive to real-world needs.
