Philippines supports global accreditation through peer evaluation

Posted: September 3, 2025
Engr. Estrella R. Pilipiña-Abejero, APAC Peer Evaluator Team Leader from DTI-PAB (center), poses with her team members—Andy Wong (SAC, Singapore), Sirorat Thonhamkaew (NSC, Thailand), Parveen Sadana (UAF, USA), and Gulzhan Amanzholova (NCA, Kazakhstan)—prior to conducting an evaluation for a US-based accreditation body.
Engr. Estrella R. Pilipiña-Abejero, APAC Peer Evaluator Team Leader from DTI-PAB (center), poses with her team members—Andy Wong (SAC, Singapore), Sirorat Thonhamkaew (NSC, Thailand), Parveen Sadana (UAF, USA), and Gulzhan Amanzholova (NCA, Kazakhstan)—prior to conducting an evaluation for a US-based accreditation body.

The Philippines continues to play an active role in advancing international quality assurance by participating in the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) Peer Evaluation of an accreditation body in the United States, held from August 3 to 8, 2025.

Engr. Estrella P. Abejero of the Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau served as the lead evaluator, heading a multinational team composed of experts from accreditation bodies in the USA, Singapore, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. All participating organizations are signatories to APAC’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement, ensuring that the evaluation was conducted with the highest standards of competence, impartiality, and global credibility.

Seated during the closing meeting: Left side of the table, front to back – Andy Wong (SAC, Singapore), Sirorat Thonhamkaew (NSC, Thailand), and Team Leader Engr. Estrella R. Pilipiña-Abejero (DTI-PAB, Philippines); right side, front to back – Parveen Sadana (UAF, USA) and Gulzhan Amanzholova (NCA, Kazakhstan).
Seated during the closing meeting: Left side of the table, front to back – Andy Wong (SAC, Singapore), Sirorat Thonhamkaew (NSC, Thailand), and Team Leader Engr. Estrella R. Pilipiña-Abejero (DTI-PAB, Philippines); right side, front to back – Parveen Sadana (UAF, USA) and Gulzhan Amanzholova (NCA, Kazakhstan).

The subject accreditation body sought full signatory status for multiple scopes, including Environmental Management Systems, Quality Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, and Testing and Calibration Laboratories under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

This latest engagement reaffirms the Philippines’ commitment to international cooperation and robust accreditation practices that support global trade, consumer protection, and sustainable development. If you wish to review DTI-PAB’s previous participation in peer evaluations, you may refer to earlier press releases. ♦

Date of Release: 02 September 2025