Google map of Castilla town in Sorsogon province.
LEGAZPI CITY – After passing the stringent audit of the processes in running a local government, Castilla town in Sorsogon province has been awarded as the first ISO-certified municipality in Bicol by the Certification International Philippines Inc. (CIPI).
“We are proud to be awarded as the first LGU in Bicol Region to be certified in ISO 9001-2015. Our efforts to best serve our constituents and our clientele have finally paid off,” Castilla Mayor Isagani Mendoza said during the virtual awarding ceremonies on Friday.
Mendoza said the Castilla municipal government is the first in Bicol to subject all its departments, including the mayor’s office, Sangguniang Bayan, and engineering, accounting, and budget offices under rigid scrutiny.
“The ISO auditors had stringently audited our systems to check whether they are responsive to the delivery of services to our constituents and clients. They determined our best practices,” Mendoza told the Philippine News Agency.
Among Castilla’s best practices are good financial housekeeping, 100 percent road clearing, and proper management of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis, he said.
Mendoza is also optimistic in getting the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award being given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after Castilla passed the ISO certification.
The mayor said that Sorsogon Gov. Francis "Chiz” Escudero will be handing them an incentive for reaping the prestigious award.
But Mendoza said they have to continue their good practices to maintain the ISO-certification in the coming years.
“If we will fail in our services to best serve the people, we would be stripped of the ISO certification after three years. We will not let this happen,” he said.
Castilla is known for its production of delicious crabs. (PNA)
