Two years since its inception, Angat Buhay remains relevant to Filipinos and has become a top of mind organization for private citizens to turn to during trying times. The non-government organization’s (NGO) second anniversary prides itself with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification for the second time in a row!
This certification reflects not just Angat Buhay’s operational excellence, but more so its unwavering commitment to empowering Filipino communities. This puts Angat Buhay in a position to continue implementing high quality programs and services Filipinos so well deserve, ensuring that every peso donated and volunteer hour worked makes a significant difference.
Kevin Ross Nera, Chief People and Possibility Officer of Positive Workplaces emphasizes the weight of this accomplishment in saying that the certification was pursued not for the sake of getting certified, but with the sincere intention to improve and strive for excellence in the services we provide for fellow Filipinos.
Building on strong foundations
Angat Buhay’s repeat achievement of getting ISO-certified proves its ability to evolve and improve—implementing several key process enhancements from stakeholders’ feedback and audit results.
Monitoring and evaluation practices became key to developing a comprehensive framework indicative of growth from the planning to exit stages. Collaboration with local institutional partners strengthened the organization’s ability to gather and analyze data that guarantee the programs’ impact and adaptiveness.
Angat Buhay’s identification of risks and opportunities brought by digitalization resulted in data privacy measures including staff training awareness-building on information security.
To ensure continuous transparency and accountability, Angat Buhay established regular meetings across all levels, including timely and meticulously documenting and monitoring agreements and commitments.
Collaboration overcomes challenges
As a lean team managing an extensive advocacy portfolio, Angat Buhay navigated the re-accreditation process with determination. Nera shares that the staff wears multiple hats daily, but the daunting task of meeting the documentation requirements was met because of the groundwork laid by Angat Buhay in the previous years, all with the help of a broad network of volunteers, partners, interns, and consultants.
This collaborative approach underscores the organization’s shared responsibility and collective impact ethos.
Excellence in daily operations
The ISO certification encouraged a mindset of intentionality and continuous improvement within Angat Buhay. Embracing the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, team members initiated process-improvement within their respective domains.
Nera relates the deeper purpose behind this discipline as a “trust exercise” between Angat Buhay and its stakeholders—donors, partners, communities, and the Filipino people.
Success stems from leadership and teamwork
Angat Buhay owes its success to its leadership and team bringing steadfast commitment and relentless dedication. From a humble program under the Office of the Vice President in 2017, the organization lived by the same guiding principle—to undertake initiatives with excellence or not at all.
Nera states that being ISO 9001:2015 QMS-certified rely on a leader’s ability to uphold quality standards and each team member’s efforts to follow through tangible commitments.
The primary beneficiaries of quality management
A Filipino NGO adhering to world-class standards on full display would inspire other organizations in the country to follow, as it affirms the transformative power of collective action, intentionality, and innovation.
Beyond being an accolade for Angat Buhay communities the ISO certification signifies that every program, from disaster relief to livelihood, is carried out with precision, accountability, and care—making Angat Buhay a trusted partner in uplifting Filipino lives, one project at a time.
Looking Ahead
More than marking this achievement, Angay Buhay is locked on its mission to create meaningful change for every Filipino. The foundation of ISO-certified systems and tireless efforts of its team and partners positions Angat Buhay to scale new heights of impact in the years to come.
For the Filipino, Angat Buhay’s second consecutive ISO certification promises a commitment to delivering services with excellence, compassion, and integrity.
