How to Register in PhilGEPS: Complete Guide for Philippine Businesses in 2025

The Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) is a centralised online portal for government procurement in the Philippines. It was created to modernise and standardise the bidding process, ensuring transparency and efficiency across all government agencies - from national departments to local barangays.

This guide walks you through how to register in PhilGEPS as a supplier or merchant, covering both red and platinum memberships. Whether you’re bidding on your first government project or you’re an established company expanding into public procurement, getting registered is your first step to accessing these opportunities.

The system processes billions of pesos in government contracts every year, covering everything from office supplies to major infrastructure projects. Getting registered opens doors to stable, long-term business opportunities with government entities across the Philippines.

Just like PhilGEPS ensures transparency and efficiency for the bidding process, a Wise Business account can streamline financial management for businesses in the Philippines, giving you full transparency on every transaction so you know exactly how much you’re paying - especially important when dealing with international suppliers and contractors.

Table of contents
What is PhilGEPS? Understanding PhilGEPS membership tiers How to register for a PhilGEPS account Navigating the financial challenges of government bids

What is PhilGEPS?

PhilGEPS stands for the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System. It’s where government agencies post their procurement needs and requirements. Established under Republic Act No. 9184 in 2003, it’s the go-to source for government procurement information in the Philippines.¹

Every government agency - from national departments to local barangays - posts its needs on PhilGEPS.

For businesses, this means one place to find opportunities instead of chasing leads across multiple offices.

The system handles around PHP 121 billion in procurement annually - about 15% of the national budget, and projects range from small PHP 100,000 purchases to multi-million peso contracts.²

Here’s what this means for your business: 24/7 access to opportunities, automatic email alerts when relevant bids get posted, and no more travel expenses or time wasted visiting government offices. As of December 2014, PhilGEPS had already facilitated over 2.7 million bid notices² and saved the government over PHP 564 million in advertising costs alone.³

The transparency works in your favour. Smaller businesses can compete against larger firms on merit. Win even one government contract and you’ve boosted your credibility - making it easier to secure more work, both public and private.

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As your business grows, you’ll also likely have to deal with international transactions. Even when you’re getting paid locally in the Philippines, your suppliers and contractors are often overseas and want payment in foreign currencies.

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Understanding PhilGEPS membership tiers

There are two types of PhilGEPS membership: red and platinum. Both government agencies and private businesses are encouraged to register to take advantage of procurement opportunities. The key difference between these tiers determines what you can actually do on the platform and which projects you can pursue.

The PhilGEPS red membership

The red membership is the default and is free for all merchants with valid requirements. It’s a lifetime membership that allows you to view bid abstracts and award notices. You can see what’s available, download bid documents, and access the procurement service catalogues - essentially giving you a window into government procurement opportunities.

Red members cannot bid directly on projects via the portal. Instead, they must submit their quotations directly to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairperson for specific procurement types, like direct contracting, shopping, and small value procurement. This membership is primarily for viewing smaller-scale projects, typically those valued at less than PHP 1 million.

Think of red membership as your starting point - a way to explore what’s available and understand the system before committing to the paid tier. It’s perfect for businesses that are just beginning to consider government contracts or those who want to monitor opportunities in their sector.

The PhilGEPS platinum membership

The platinum membership is a higher-level, paid membership costing PHP 5,030 annually (PHP 5,000 membership fee plus PHP 30 documentary stamp tax).⁴ This is the tier you need for serious government contracting. It allows you to submit bids for any public projects directly through the PhilGEPS system, regardless of the project’s value.

Platinum members receive a PhilGEPS Certificate of Registration, which is required for most government contracts and helps strengthen bids. This certificate signals to government agencies that you’re a verified, legitimate supplier who has met all the necessary requirements.

This membership gives you increased visibility and positions you as a preferred supplier in the PhilGEPS database. Government procurement officers can find you more easily when searching for suppliers in your category. After one year, the platinum membership expires and reverts to a red membership if not renewed. The processing time for new applications and renewals is 7 business days, so plan accordingly if you have upcoming bid deadlines.⁴

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How to register for a PhilGEPS account

The registration process is done online. You must first register for a red membership before you can upgrade to a platinum membership.

Step 1: Apply for a red membership

Visit the PhilGEPS website and hover over the “Sign Up” button. Select ‘Merchant Registration’ from the dropdown menu.⁵

Fill out the registration form with your business details and upload the required documents. You’ll need your company’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) and business registration certificate from either DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) for sole proprietorships, SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for partnerships and corporations, or CDA (Cooperative Development Authority) for cooperatives.

Click “Send OTP to Email” and verify your email address. Once verified, go to the PhilGEPS login page and select “Merchant” from the dropdown. After logging in, click “Apply for Red Registration,” upload your documents, tick the confirmation box, and click “Submit.”

Wait for an email notification, which should arrive within 24 business hours, confirming approval.

Step 2: Upgrade to a platinum membership

Log in to your account and select “Upgrade to Platinum” under “Pending Task” or through Menu > Organisation > Upgrade to Platinum.

Complete the application form and upload the necessary documents. The system will generate an OnColl Payment Receipt for PHP 5,030. Pay the membership fee through a LandBank branch using the OnColl Payment Slip, the PhilGEPS cashier (accepting debit cards via Bancnet, ExpressNet, and MegaLink), or LandBank Link.BizPortal for online payment.

Upload a scanned copy of your payment receipt and click “Submit for Approval.” The processing of your documents takes approximately 7 business days. For faster approval, send your scanned OnColl slip to supplier@ps-philgeps.gov.ph after submitting your application.

Key documents needed for registration

To register, you must have a valid email address and a Company Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Red membership requirements:

• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) license for sole proprietorships
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate for partnerships and corporations
• Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Registration Number for cooperatives

Platinum membership requirements:⁶

You’ll need everything from a red membership, plus:

• SEC documents (for corporations only): Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership, Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, and any Amended Articles if applicable
• Mayor’s Permit or Business Permit (must be valid for the current year)
• Tax Clearance Certificate for Bidding Purposes from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) - costs PHP 100 certification fee plus PHP 30 documentary stamp tax, processing takes 2 working days
• Audited Financial Statement (AFS) with BIR ‘Received’ stamp or email confirmation receipt per RMC No. 49-2020
• PCAB License (contractors only) - or a statement declaring the PCAB license isn’t applicable
• PhilGEPS Sworn Declaration of Compliance (notarised) - replaced the former ‘PhilGEPS Sworn Statement’ as of 15 July 2025

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Navigating the financial challenges of government bids

Many MSMEs struggle to participate in government bids due to concerns about funding and cash flow. Government agencies can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to complete payment, which is a long time to wait, especially for smaller businesses.

And, without this much-needed money in the bank, expected and unexpected costs still grow. The initial cost of a project can rise, particularly if it’s long-term. You need to pay suppliers, cover labour, and manage ongoing expenses whilst waiting for the government payment to clear. Not having the working capital to sustain ongoing costs like these makes it nearly impossible for many businesses to execute government contracts.

Some businesses turn to private financing firms for help, as a flexible alternative to bank loans with faster processing times and more flexible terms specifically designed for government contractors. Alternative lenders increasingly provide working capital lines to help businesses manage the gap between project expenses and government payments.

Conclusion

Completing your PhilGEPS registration is a crucial step to legalising your business and ensuring compliance. This process provides credibility, protects your business from legal issues, and opens up new opportunities for growth.

The registration process is straightforward: start with a free red membership to explore opportunities, then upgrade to a platinum membership when you’re ready to bid on projects. The PHP 5,030 annual investment for platinum membership pays for itself quickly when you land your first government contract.

As you grow the business, even if you’re receiving government contracts and getting paid locally in the Philippines, suppliers and contractors are often overseas and demand payment in foreign currencies. Wise Business can help you handle those cross-border transactions efficiently, ensuring the money you worked hard to earn through government contracts doesn’t disappear into excessive foreign exchange conversion fees and wire transfer fees.

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Sources:

1 - GPPB - Republic Act No. 9184

2 - PhilGEPs Notices

3 - ADB - PhilGEPs Study

4 - PhilGEPS - Processing Time

5 - PhilGEPs Registration

6 - PhilGEPs Notices - Help

Sources checked on 13th November 2025.