The Department of Trade and Industry - Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-Cebu) and the DTI's Center for Industrial Competitiveness are calling on productivity and quality-conscious companies and business organizations to attend the Philippine Quality Award Roadshow/Symposium on October 25.

The Philippine Quality Award (PQA) is the country's national quality award, and the highest level of national recognition for exemplary organizational performance in the Philippines. It was established through EO No. 448 in 1997 and signed into law on February 28, 2001 through RA 9013, otherwise known as the Philippine Quality Award Act.

The PQA was created to help stimulate local companies to improve quality and productivity for the pride of recognition while obtaining a competitive edge through increased profits and providing example to others. The PQA is a means by which a company can distinguish itself from the rest --- with the PQA considered a mark of distinction among quality-conscious companies and organizations.

The PQA is also an instrument for self-assessment or self-measurement, and provides guidelines and criteria for globally minded organizations of all sizes and sectors, including both private and public organizations that wish to evaluate their own quality improvement efforts.

Because of limited seats, reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and the DTI-Cebu must receive the confirmation of attendance on or before October 20, 2006. Interested participants are therefore advised to contact the DTI-Cebu and look for Ms. Marilyn Tancinco or Marivic Aguilar at tel. no. (032) 253-2631 or 412-1863, or e-mail dticebuphil@yahoo.com.