Internet-Based Procurement: An Analysis of the Malpractices and Errors in the use of PHilGEPS Website of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization

Abstract

The strict implementation of the use of PHilGEPS has been a major practice in government agencies, going to lengths such as moving the dates of procurement activities or cancelling bidding projects due to errors in the posting of advertisements. Moreover, it is in no discreet information that PHilGEPS experienced major errors and technical difficulties last year, even opting to use a temporary facility for revamping and improvement of the old PHilGEPS Website. However, despite the strict implementation of the use of the website, errors and malpractices are still a major problem for some government agencies leading up to disallowances and even show-cause orders. This descriptive study aimed to determine the cause of the transgressions and errors in the use of the PHilGEPS Website and the possible solutions to avoid such malpractice in the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. To obtain the needed information, a survey questionnaire in the form of Google Forms was undertaken for this aim. The participants of the study are employees of the agency that uses and manages the PHilGEPS account of the procurement unit. Findings show the lack of training related to the use of the website contributes to the errors in the transactions. Also, strengthening and continuous improvement of PHilGEPs must be prioritized to avoid errors and transgressions in required postings.