The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned Filipinos and foreign nationals against transacting with entities posing as a Philippine government agency following the spread of fake websites online.

In a bulletin, the DFA said there have been reports of a website that posed as a Philippine government agency that handles public procurements in the Philippines.

The said website solicits businesses and companies transact with it regarding the procurement of goods and services for the Philippines.

“Please note that government procurement in the Philippines is implemented through the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9184) which mandates the use of streamlined procurement processes and monitoring of government procurement activities by the public,” the DFA said.

“More importantly, RA 9184 created the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPBB) as the central policy & monitoring body in all government,” it added.

The agency also underscored that notices of bids for government procurement contracts in the Philippines are posted on PhilGEPS (https://www.dti.gov.ph/transparencyseal/philgeps-procurement).

PhilGEPS is the sole centralized electronic portal that is the official and definitive source of information of Philippine government procurement.

“For assurance of the legitimacy of any Philippine government organization that wishes to transact with foreign-based businesses and companies, concerned parties may get in touch with the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General abroad,” it noted. (PNA)