(UPDATED) The government of the Philippines has announced that it will be extending the deadline for SIM card registration by an additional 90 days, effectively pushing the deadline to July 25, 2023.
The initial deadline was April 26, but the authorities have deemed it necessary to provide more time for people to register their SIM cards. This is part of a broader effort to ensure that all SIM card users in the country are properly identified and registered, which will help prevent fraudulent activities and increase national security.
Despite the extension, it is important to note that subscribers who fail to register their SIM cards by the new deadline will face the consequences. Telecom companies will impose restrictions on their services, which means that users who do not comply will have limited access to important services.
In fact, most services will be wholly cut off, rendering the SIM card unusable for any purpose. This will significantly inconvenience users who rely on their SIM cards for communication, data access, and other essential services. Therefore, all SIM card users in the Philippines are strongly advised to take advantage of the extended registration period and complete the registration process before the new deadline.
What is the SIM Card Registration Act?
The SIM Card Registration Act, also known as Republic Act (RA) 11934, was created to address the growing problem of scams and criminal activities using SIM cards. The main objective of this act is to promote the responsible use of SIM cards and prevent fraudulent activities, which have become increasingly common in recent years.
To achieve this, the act mandates that all SIM cardholders register their cards with their respective telecommunications providers, providing a government-issued identification document as proof of identity. This registration process aims to prevent text, online scams, and other illegal activities that may be carried out using SIM cards.
By requiring SIM card registration, the government hopes to create a safer and more secure environment for mobile phone users while enabling authorities to better track criminals using SIM cards for illicit purposes.
The Need for the Extension
As of April 23, 2023, only 49.31% of SIM cards in the Philippines have been registered, with 82,845,397 out of 168 million subscribers completing the process. This low number has prompted officials to call for increased efforts to raise awareness about the registration law and address the concerns of those who have yet to register, especially those living in remote areas.
To address this issue, an extension has been proposed to allow more time for subscribers to register. The government aims to encourage more registrations by reaching out to grassroots communities. To facilitate this, officials from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and its associated agencies have engaged in discussions with representatives from the three public telecommunications entities (PTEs) in the country: Smart, Globe, and DITO.
The aim of these discussions is to address the issues faced by registrants, like not being able to get government-issued IDs, and to make the registration process better.
The meeting focused on resolving these issues and ensuring the registration process becomes more accessible to the public. With these efforts, the government hopes to increase the number of registered SIM cards and improve the implementation of RA 11934. The extension provides a much-needed opportunity to reach more subscribers, particularly those in remote areas, and achieve the desired registration rate.
What Happens After the Deadline?
Filipinos are highly advised to take immediate action and register their SIM cards before the set deadline to prevent disconnection from telecommunication services.
Nevertheless, even after the SIM registration deadline, SIM cards can still be procured from local retailers and sari-sari stores. However, it is important to note that users must comply with the registration process before activating their new SIM cards.
For those who have been using their SIM cards but have not registered during the sign-up period, their SIMs will be deactivated. On the other hand, individuals who purchase new SIM cards must register before they can use them. As such, it is highly recommended to take the necessary actions and register the SIM cards to avoid any inconvenience and ensure uninterrupted access to telecommunication services.
What You Need to Do
To register a SIM card, one must present valid government-issued IDs and documents to the registration portal of their corresponding PTEs.
These include but are not limited to a passport, driver's license, Unified Multi-Purpose ID, and social security system ID. If one encounters difficulties registering their SIM card, they can visit the telecom provider's website or go to the physical stores of PTEs for assistance.
The extension provides more time for subscribers to register their SIM cards, and PTEs are encouraged to intensify their registration campaigns. The increasing number of registrants in the past few days indicates that Filipinos want to eradicate online and text scams.
Conclusion
The extension of the SIM card registration deadline provides more time for Filipinos to register their SIM cards and avoid being cut off from the services. While it is challenging to accommodate all users, the government and telecommunication companies should ensure that their campaigns reach more people, especially those in remote areas. The SIM Card Registration Act aims to fight scams through text and online messages, promoting responsible SIM use and halting the abuses of scammers and criminals. —iTacloban/AJ Yes/RDV