DICT expects massive increase in SIM registrations 2 weeks before April 26 deadline

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) expects a massive increase in SIM registrants in the last two weeks before the registration deadline.

DICT spokesperson and Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo said on Saturday that 27.12% of 169,977,773 subscribers had registered their SIMs.

“Natutuwa po kami na mas marami na po ‘yung registrants natin doon sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas than urban centers,” she said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(We are pleased that there are now more registrants in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas than urban centers.)

However, she said the DICT did not expect the registration rate to reach 100%, especially since some SIMs were used for scams, and many are voluntarily deactivating their SIM.

"Kung titignan po ang ating demographics, more than 60% ng ating mga registrants is 35 and above," she said, noting that telecommunications firms were using strategies to encourage younger generations to register.

She said DICT had also launched free Wi-Fi hotspots to cater to those who don't have internet access to register.

“Ngayon, more than 1,000 na 'yung assisted SIM registration areas na ina-activate natin,” she said.

(We've now activated more than 1,000 assisted SIM registration areas.)

“Nu'ng una, ang problema natin ay capacity [for SIM registration]. Mayroon po tayong 24/7 hotline. During the first five days, we received 400 to 600 complaints daily. Now, we're down 20 to 40 complaints per day," she added.

(At first, our problem was capacity for SIM registration. We had a 24/7 hotline.)

Moreover, DICT is still considering whether to extend the registration deadline, which was on April 26.

“Mayroon din tayong nakasaad sa batas. May option ang DICT to extend the implementation of the law by another 120 days. Pero hindi pa 'yan napagdedesisyonan. Tinitignan lang natin ang posibilidad,” Lamentillo said.

(The law says something about this. DICT has the option to extend the implementation of the law by another 120 days. But that hasn't been decided on. We are just looking at the possibility.)

“As of now, ang deadline pa rin natin ay April 26. Kapag hindi niyo napa-register ang inyong SIM card on April 26, made-deactivate po 'yan. Ibig sabihin, hindi niyo na siya magagamit,” she added.

(As of now, the deadline is still April 26. If you haven't registered your SIM by April 26, it will be deactivated. It means you will no longer be able to use it.)

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. — DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News