PNR is committed to deliver an improved service in the coming months.

Patrons of the Philippine National Railways opt for the cheaper yet faster mode of transportation.

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) received an added boost to its continuing rehabilitation with the granting of an ISO 9001:2015 certification on Monday.

The Certification International Philippines (CIP) cited PNR’s repair, rehabilitation, restoration and maintenance of its railway system; train control and rolling stock maintenance and station operation and other related services.

The awarding of the certification granted on 14 June 2019 was witnessed by CIP president Renato Navarrete, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) director Evangeline Macariola, PNR board chair Gen. Roberto Lastimoso (ret.), PNR director Jovito Barte and PNR management and staff.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental, international organization that develops standards to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products, services and systems.

The number appearing after ISO classifies the standard with 9001 among the best-known standards. The finals numbers represent the version. The ISO 9001:2015 issued to PNR was crafted on September 2015.

PNR started its journey to Quality Management System (QMS) in 2017 through a grant by DAP.

Macariola said DAP has been encouraging PNR to undergo QMS since 2008 until management finally relented to get certified for international standards.

PNR general manager Junn Magno acknowledged the hard work of the entire PNR organization for their achievement.

“The certification is a very important tool for the transformation of PNR, but it is not the transformation itself. The organization has to evolve and emerge strong because of the very important role it is playing in the biggest railway investment by the government since 1917,” GM Magno explained.

Through the QMS, PNR-established processes shall continue even after a change in administration. It is PNR’s second time to adhere to international standards, after its membership to the Union of International Railways.

QMS head lawyer Celeste Lauta reminded the PNR team that getting to the top is not as tough as staying there.

“There’s still a long way to go and the journey may be even harder as PNR integrates its plans, programs and services to the ISO standard,” Lauta said.

Magno said the ISO certification is not only a manifestation of hard work, but a commitment to continuous improvement in terms of quality of service.

“It may not be done overnight but PNR is committed to deliver an improved service in the coming months,” Magno said.