Tarlac State University was presented with the Philippine Quality Award trophy in an onsite ceremony last March 25, 2022 at the Bulwagang Kanlahi in Tarlac City two days after the 2021 PQA Conferment Ceremony via Facebook Live.
The university attained the Level 2 or “Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Management” in the 24th Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Assessment Cycle which was approved by the Office of the Philippine President last January 13, 2022.
Out of 114 state universities and colleges in the Philippines, TSU is one among the seven with PQA.
TSU is also the first SUC in Central Luzon to attain this recognition.
“This is not a coincidence; we are ending our governance, and yet to the last day, we are receiving a very important recognition – the highest recognition of the land on exemplary performance,” TSU President Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari said in a message.
Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr. and DTI Director for Competitiveness Bureau Department Lilian G. Salonga personally awarded the PQA trophy to TSU which was received by Pres. Mallari and vice presidents.
In his message, Asec. Juanillo Jr. congratulated and commended TSU for having a documented and solid approach to system level quality and productivity management and for implementing quality and productivity improvement plans and procedures for the university.
“Your eagerness to take the initiative to advocate for the continuous improvement of your organization and not settling for less leads you to this very moment – celebrating the fruit of your efforts and sacrifices to attain performance excellence,” Asec. Juanillo, Jr. said.
Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Commissioner and TSU Board of Regents’ Chairperson Hon. Ronald L. Adamat also conveyed his congratulatory message through a video recording.
He lauded TSU’s inclusion in the elite list of PQA awardees and further challenged the university in sustaining its performance excellence.
“The vision is still the same. The mission is still the same. The goals are still the same. But, the approaches, the methods, and the processes will have to be more creative and more innovative and inventive. Let me remind ourselves that while we imagine and go for bigger things, we should not forget what is basic – and that education has to be grounded on values. Education without values will never amount to the upright transformation of a person,” he said.
Other local officials who expressed their felicitations were 2nd District Representative Hon. Victor A. Yap through TSU BOR Representative Hon. Melissa Yeung-Yap and Governor Susan A. Yap through Tarlac City Councilor Hon. Emily Ladera-Facunla.
In her welcoming remarks, Pres. Mallari shared this recognition to students, parents, partners in the local government units, and other stakeholders.
“And of course, to our students, to our parents, to all our stakeholders, this recognition is not about us – it’s not about what we have done – it’s about what we would like our students to be in the future because the recognition bestowed upon TSU is a recognition of a good future for our students at Tarlac State University,” Pres. Mallari said.
“Our journey was never difficult, because we were united in one belief – and that is we are not perfect. We might now be good in the eyes of others; but we shared our lives, we shared our time, we put our heart in all the things that we did and we will keep doing. On top of this, we did our best. So ladies and gentlemen, it’s not the end of our journey especially on Philippine Quality Award. So, I am very grateful,” she added.
After receiving the PQA trophy, the Pres. Mallari and the vice presidents also handed certificates of recognition to the PQA committee members as “Quality Champions” who were in charge of writing and packaging the submitted report.
Meanwhile, Pres. Mallari also awarded plaques of commendation to Administrative Council members and selected unit heads for the valuable contributions and services rendered to the university as well as a symbol of her deepest appreciation.
“All of you are the wind beneath my wings. So, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat – sa lahat ng bumubuo [sa] TSU. This plaque of recognition is just a piece of wood, and time will come you will not even mind it anymore. The words that are written [on it], time will come, you will never mind them. But this piece of wood and the words – every word written on it – carry my heartfelt thanksgiving to all of you,” Pres. Mallari said.
Pres. Mallari is set to end her eight-year term as university president on March 31, 2022. She started her term on March 30, 2014 with a reappointment in 2018.
The Philippine Quality Award is the highest level of national recognition for exemplary organizational performance that aims to recognize the achievements of both public and private organizations for their efforts towards performance excellence.
TSU underwent the PQA virtual site visit last September 14-16, 2021.
