MUNTINLUPA CITY—The Department of Health Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) warns the public to stay vigilant of suspicious phone calls, text messages, and social media posts soliciting donations and financial assistance for the activities and medical frontliners of the Institute.

Director Celia Carlos stressed that such incidents are misrepresentations after receiving several reports from suppliers and concerned citizens. She likewise emphasized that no such instruction originated from her office nor from any department within the Institute. 

“We do not participate in any formal or informal solicitation activities. I have not and will not issue such orders, nor allow any representative or staff of RITM to solicit donations—whether in kind or monetary—from any individual, party, or entity inside or outside the Institute. We vehemently denounce such malicious activities exploiting the name of RITM for personal gain,” said Dr. Carlos.

All legitimate correspondence from RITM bear the Insitute’s official letterhead and are duly approved and signed by the Office of the Director. For any questionable activities claiming affiliation to RITM, please get in touch with its Communications Office at communications@ritm.gov.ph or through the official Facebook page of the Institute.