DICT to boost SIM registration efforts amid reported slowdown

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday said it plans to boost its efforts in encouraging more users to register their SIM cards, following the slowdown observed halfway into the implementation of the prescribed registration period.

“We are almost halfway into the implementation of the SIM registration, and we have observed a slowdown in the number of registrants. Although we anticipated this lull, we are compelled to do more,” said DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo.

She added that they plan to do this by boosting their information and education campaigns.

Under the SIM Card Registration Act, all public telecommunication entities (PTEs) are mandated to establish their respective registration platforms to onboard users who present valid identification cards.

Users are given until April 26, 2023 to register their SIM cards or face the risk of having them deactivated.

The implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Card Registration Act took effect on December 27, after the measure was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last October.

The DICT said that a total of 32,062,265 SIM cards were registered with their respective PTEs as of 11:59 p.m. on February 12, equivalent to 18.97% of the 168.977 million SIMs across the country.

“While our telcos are working double time, the DICT and NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) are also reinforcing our support to the telcos,” Lamentillo said.

“…To our kababayans, especially those who have yet to register their SIMs, do so already. Please do not wait for the deadline,” she added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News