DICT, NTC to commence assisted SIM registration in remote areas

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will kickstart the assisted SIM registration in remote areas this week.

In a statement, the DICT said the rollout of assisted SIM registration for 15 identified remote locations in different provinces is commencing on January 25 to 27.

The pilot areas and the corresponding date for assisted SIM registration are as follows:

Day 1 - January 25

• Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte – municipal auditorium of Pasuquin
• Moalboal, Cebu – municipal hall of Moalboal
• Palo, Leyte – municipal gym of Palo
• Pangantucan, Bukidnon – municipal gymnasium of Pangantucan
• Malalag, Davao del Sur – covered court of Malalag

Day 2 – January 26

• Atok, Benguet – basketball court in Atok
• Camalaniugan, Cagayan – Camalaniugan Sports Complex in Brgy. Dacal, Lafugu, Maharlika Hi-way
• Calumpit, Bulacan – municipal covered court of Calumpit
• Rosario, Batangas – Luancing Covered Court, back of Municipal Hall Brgy. Poblacion
• City of Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur – multi-purpose covered court in Brgy. Arena Blanco

Day 3 – January 27

• Baco, Oriental Mindoro – covered court in Brgy. Sta Rosa 1
• City of Ligao, Albay – multi-purpose covered court in Brgy. Paulba, Ligao City
• Carles, Iloilo – covered gym of Carles in front of municipal hall
• Arakan, Cotabato – Emergency Operations Center (MDRRM Office) in Evacuation Center Bldg., Municipal Hall Compound, Poblacion
• Tagbina, Surigao del Sur – municipal gym of Tagbina

“The government-led facilitation of SIM registration in remote areas is intended to ensure that the implementation of the law is inclusive and that we finish the SIM registration on time,” said DICT spokesperson and Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo.

“We are reaching out to SIM end-users in areas with limited telecommunication or internet access to assist them in registering their SIMs. The DICT’s Free Wi-Fi sites will serve as the hubs for SIM registration in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs),” said Lamentillo.

For her part, NTC officer-in-charge Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said that “the NTC, through the concerted effort of its regional offices and in coordination with the telcos and relevant government agencies, will ensure the proper conduct of the SIM registration in remote areas.”

“This endeavor is aimed at maximizing SIM subscriber participation in the SIM Registration process, thereby helping ensure the successful implementation of the SIM Registration Act,” said Lopez.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has, likewise, tasked concerned local government units (LGUs) to ensure the success of the assisted registration in GIDAs.

“The DILG is providing its full assistance in the rollout of SIM registration in remote areas through our LGUs. Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has already urged LGUs to exert all efforts to promote responsible use of SIM cards, educate their stakeholders on the benefits of SIM registration, and guide and assist our citizens in the whole registration process,” said DILG spokesperson Margarita Gutierrez.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will provide support in the issuance of NBI clearances, according to the DICT.

“The DOJ will be setting up NBI one-stop-shops so that citizens who do not have valid government-issued IDs can secure their NBI clearance on-site and use it from the SIM registration. This is one way we can provide support for the full implementation of the SIM Registration Law, which is an important tool for the DOJ in suppressing cybercrimes,” said DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano.

Meanwhile, the DICT reported that SIM registration has been completed for 24,120,541 SIMs as of January 22.

Based on records provided by the NTC, the total number is 14.27% of the 168,977,773 million subscribers nationwide.

Broken down. Smart Communications Inc. reported a total of 12,167,220 SIMs registered, which is 17.9% of Smart’s 67,995,734 subscribers.

Globe Telecom Inc. recorded 9,988,656 registered, which is 11.37% of its 87,873,936 subscribers.

DITO Telecommunity Corp. reported a total of 1,964,665 SIMs registered or 14.99% of its 13,108,103 subscribers.—AOL, GMA Integrated News