AKLAN – Over 1,000 subscriber identity modules (SIMs) were successfully registered during the facilitated SIM registration of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Region 6 in Madalag, Aklan, on Thursday, Feb. 2.
NTC-6 personnel assisted the subscribers in coordination with the local government unit, Philippine National Police, public telecommunication entities (PTEs), Philippine Information Agency, and other government agencies.
Only personnel from PTEs such as Smart, Globe and DITO assisted the subscribers to ensure the privacy of data.
Subscribers are only required to bring their SIM card, mobile phone (does not need to be a smartphone), and any valid government-issued identification (ID) cards or other similar forms of documents with photos that will verify the identity of the end-user, such as a passport, Philippine Identification Card, Social Security Service, Government Service Insurance System e-card, Driver’s License, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, Police clearance, Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID, Professional Regulation Commission ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID, Overseas Workers Welfare Development ID, Bureau of Internal Revenue ID, Voter’s ID, Senior Citizens ID, and among other valid government-issued ID with photo.
On Jan. 27, over 900 SIMs were also successfully registered during the first facilitated SIM registration in Carles, Iloilo. The process only took five to 10 minutes per subscriber.
The facilitated SIM registration is pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) 11934, or the SIM Card Registration Act. It provides for a 180-day registration period for SIM cards, which began on Dec. 27, 2022, and would end on June 27, 2023.
Facilitated registrations are being conducted in areas with a limited number of cell sites, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and island villages.
NTC-6 legal officer Atty. Deo Virgil Tan encourages subscribers to register their SIMs as early as possible.
After a deadline extension, all unregistered SIMs will automatically be deactivated.
All existing SIM subscribers/end-users shall register within 180 days from the effectivity of the Act. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days.
Failure to register the existing SIM within the prescribed period shall result in the automatic deactivation of the SIM.
The deactivation SIM may only be reactivated after registration; provided, however, that reactivation shall be made not later than five (5) days after such automatic deactivation, read Section 5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 11934./PN