TRACKING | The government is hoping to stop scams and track down criminals through a law mandating the registration of SIM for mobile phones. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Monday issued the implementing rules and regulations on Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.
The rules, which take effect on Dec. 27, require all mobile subscribers to enroll their SIM cards within 180 days or six months from the effectivity of the law or face the automatic deactivation of their cards.
These may be reactivated but only within a period of five days from deactivation.
New SIM cards will be sold in “deactivated mode” by the said date.
A subscriber will register his or her card through a secure platform or website to be provided by the concerned telecommunications company.
Telcos issued their statements on Monday saying they are prepared to roll out their registration portals in the coming weeks.
Individual users must provide their full name, date of birth, sex, address, and valid government ID or similar documents with a photo, while business users must provide their business name, business address, and the full name of an authorized signatory.
Foreigners must provide personal data as well as passport information and their address.
‘Simple, painless’
Those visiting as tourists would be issued a SIM card valid for 30 days, which may be extended upon presentation of an approved visa extension.
Foreigners with other types of visas can acquire SIM cards without the 30-day validity period.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the SIM Registration Act into law on Oct. 10, following the proliferation of anonymous mobile phone-based scams and other criminal activities, which prompted that measure.
An earlier version of the bill was filed in the 18th Congress but was vetoed in April by then-President Rodrigo Duterte over the provision requiring the enrollment of social media accounts.
Telco giant PLDT Inc.’s Smart Communications said more details on its SIM registration portal will be released in the next few weeks.
“We are ready to roll out our SIM Registration processes after months of preparations, which have included, among others, studying best global practices and technology solutions from other countries that have already implemented SIM registration,” Smart vice president and regulatory head Roy Ibay said in a statement.
He also said the company would assist persons with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly in registering their SIM.
Globe Telecom said new SIM would be sold in deactivated mode, adding that these must be registered immediately for subscribers to avail themselves of the company’s services.
“Our goal is to have a SIM registration process that is seamless, secure, inclusive, and convenient for our customers,” Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said in a statement on Monday.
DITO Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said in a separate statement: “We will do our level best to make the registration process as simple and painless as possible for new DITO subscribers and our 14 million existing customers.”