The Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) formally handed over the certificate of accreditation and the plaque of recognition to Don Bosco Youth Center - Tondo, Inc. (DBYC) for achieving the Bronze+ Level Accreditation Status. DBYC underwent its first cycle of APACC accreditation from April 28 to 30, 2025.
The awarding ceremony was held on August 5, 2025, at the Don Bosco Gymnasium in Tondo, Manila City, Philippines. APACC was represented by its Chief APACC Officer, Prof. Naeem Yaqoob, along with APACC Officer Ms. Julifer Madeja and Professional Intern Mr. Jovyck Gegantoni.
The APACC team with Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso
Esteemed Manila City officials, no less than the Hon. Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso and Hon. Vice Mayor Angelica Lei “Chi” Atienza, graced the event and congratulated DBYC for its remarkable achievement. The ceremony was also attended by Ms. Filipina C. Laurena, Executive Director of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Foundation; Rev. Fr. Jose Dindo S. Vitug, Executive Director of Don Bosco One – TVET PH; and Dir. Lorrienne Judith Marie G. Juanani, TESDA Manila District Director.
The results were deliberated during the APACC Board Meeting held on July 4, 2025. The meeting was presided over by APACC President Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, and was further honored by the presence of Mr. Faheem Iqbal, Advisor to the Government of Pakistan for Overseas Employment, who attended as a guest observer. The results were presented by the designated accreditation team, led by Dr. Luisita S. Dela Cruz (Lead Accreditor), with Prof. Engr. Naeem Yaqoob (Member Accreditor) and Ms. Julifer Madeja (Documentation Officer). Ms. Charina Lansangan and Ms. Danilyn Amaro were also present as observers in the evaluation.
The Don Bosco Youth Center – Tondo, Inc. (DBYC) and the APACC accreditation team pose for a group photo after the opening ceremony
During the opening ceremony, the accreditation team was warmly welcomed by DBYC Director Fr. Dennis Sylvester Casaclang, SDB, who emphasized the importance of conducting accreditation activities to help institutions fulfill their mandates better in serving the TVET system in the Philippines. APACC President Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja also noted that the accreditation process is not meant to intimidate, but to guide institutions toward service excellence.
The accreditation activities included a tour of DBYC’s facilities such as automotive, electromechanical, and air-conditioning and refrigeration workshops, as well as classrooms, the innovation room, auditorium, and student support offices. The team also conducted interviews with students and staff, and observed ongoing lectures and workshops.
The APACC accreditation team conducts interviews with DBYC’s faculty members
The evaluation concluded with an exit meeting wherein Dr. Dela Cruz presented the initial commendations, affirmations, and recommendations. In the exit meeting, Fr. Casaclang expressed his hopes for DBYC to serve as a model institution and motivate other technical schools under Don Bosco – One TVET Philippines, Inc. to seek APACC accreditation.
The evaluation marked the first cycle of APACC accreditation for DBYC. This assessed the institution’s performance against APACC’s seven accreditation criteria: (1) Governance and Management, (2) Teaching and Learning, (3) Human Resources, (4) Research and Development, (5) Image and Sustainability, (6) Other Resources, and (7) Support to Students.
