As an ISO-certified organization, Pangasinan State University ensures quality. It continuously enhances its processes by abiding by all standards that concentrate on effectiveness, customer and employee satisfaction, and expectation. It also offers an ideal environment where people can collaborate with proper workflow and increase efficiency.
Given the importance of maintaining and sustaining productivity and quality, the principles and standards of 5S are required in developing a culture and implementing a quality workplace. With this, PSU-Alaminos City Campus conducted training as the next activity in implementing 5S Quality Workplace and adopting the best practices from the recently completed benchmarking on 5S Quality Workplace at LGU Tanauan, one of the 5S Champions last August 5, 2022. The idea to adopt the 5S method for PSU-ACC benchmarking was started by the former Campus Executive Director, Dr Renato E. Salcedo. It was continued by the present administration led by Dr Jenylyn V. Oboza.
The training aims to provide basic knowledge and the concept of 5S; help participants in grasping the significance and goal of 5S; demonstrate the application of 5S in specific workplace stations; develop quality workplace Standards for the Soft 5S (refers to the observance of discipline proper behaviour, attitude and practices of people in a quality workplace, e.g. ); proper wearing of uniform, observance of office decorum, working etiquette) in various areas and Hard 5S ( refers to the physical aspects of the working environment, e.g. comfort rooms, meeting rooms, individual workstations, drawers, etc.) and to form the 5S Committee for evaluation and monitoring.
The event started with the preliminaries at eight in the morning, followed by the statement of purpose and messages.Vice President for Quality Assurance, Dr Marcelo Gutierrez, presented his thoughts on the 5s.He highlighted the necessity of 5S both at work and at home.
He also connects the 5s to bible verses, which pertain to serving others with a humble spirit.
The Vice President and Managing Director of the Productivity and Development Center of the Development Academy of the Philippines, Mr Arnel D. Abanto, stresses the fundamental principle of 5s, which is portrayed as “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Dr Jenylyn Oboza, the Executive Director of the Campus, explained that PSU-ACC needs change through the 5s principle. This is a step-by-step process necessary to enhance the quality of service on campus. Basically, every employee of the institution should be involved in making changes daily and throughout the entire facility.
Furthermore, to truly grasp the idea of 5S, Mr Leo Calingasan started to discuss productivity, quality and quality dimensions: tangibility, reliability and responsiveness. He also stated that fortifying and protecting the workforce will enable the institution to elevate the quality of customer experience. Dr Renato Salcedo strengthened this in his discussion on the essence of 5S: the workplace becomes clean and better organized, more accessible and safer, the quality of the workplace is enhanced, and results are visible to everyone. “Everybody benefits from improved service delivery and high productivity”, he added.
Ms Shyeleen Nunez, Coordinator of Quality Assurance on the campus, discussed the first two components of the 5S. She emphasized the difference between a document and a record. The two concepts must be understood to let go of unnecessary things in the office that may be considered hazards. The last principles of 5S were discussed by Mr Levi Balgua, campus executive secretary. He then emphasized the critical tenets of cleaning, which purifies the spirit and the essence of labeling. In their discussion, Ms Nunez and Mr Balgua further elaborated that 5S is intended to reduce waste while increasing productivity by keeping an organized workplace and employing visual signals to achieve more consistent operational results.
PSU-ACC is the only campus of PSU that received direct training from DAP regarding this 5S. The second day of the training will involve the application of the concepts learned from the different speakers, the presentation of the outputs, and forming of the 5S committee for monitoring and evaluation.