The Quality Management System (QMS) of Dipolog City Schools Division had officially obtained the ISO 9001:2015 certification after surpassing the rigorous two-stage audit conducted by registrars of Global Certifications Philippines, Inc., a third-party standards certifying body and member of the Global Group of Companies Limited based in the United Kingdom and the Internal Accreditation Forum (IAF). 
The intricacies of ISO certification with barely one-year of preparation  kicked-off with a benchmarking activity at the first ISO-certified division, DepEd Cavite Province in Trece Martires, Cavite last December of 2017. 
The 46 core processes for the delivery of basic education services of the three functional units–Office of the Schools Division Superintendent (OSDS), Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) and School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) have been assessed and registered against the provisions of the International Standards a month after the Quality Assurance Team promptly closed-out the two minor non-conformances (NC) and one opportunity for improvement (OFI) of the stage two audit on November 5, 2018. 
The lead external auditors are Dr. Novalyn G. Tolentino of Global Certifications Philippines, Inc. and Dr. Rizza B. Bagalanon, Quality Assurance Director and certified auditor from Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU).  
This was disclosed during the awarding ceremony on December 17, 2018 at Ariana Hotel in Dipolog City by Ms. Lloyda Amour N. Cajucom, external auditor of the Global Group Ltd., who led the stage one audit last October 18, 2018. 
The event was  followed by a series of capacity-building training-workshop for division personnel. These endeavours propelled the SDO to chronicle the distinction of being the first ISO-certified division in Region IX and the entire Mindanao.  
“We have etched a legacy that exemplifies the power of collaboration believing that one of us is not as good as all of us, making as tangible the spirit of our mantra for unity and excellence – One DepEd, One Dipolog,” Tabilon added.  
DepEd Undersecretary for Planning Service and Field Operations, Jesus Lorenzo R. Mateo lauded the SDO for taking the initiatives in getting the coveted certification two years ahead of the timeline set for all divisions to have their QMS aligned with appropriate international standards.