MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The National Telecommunications Commission, (NTC) together with the local government units (LGUs) and the telecommunication companies, will facilitate SIM card registration in remote areas of the Ilocos Region.
NTC-Ilocos Region legal officer Ana Minelle Maningding, in a forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Pangasinan, said on Tuesday that the first remote SIM card registration will be in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on Wednesday (Jan. 24).
She said there are no other schedules yet but they are expecting to conduct more satellite SIM card registrations in areas that have poor or no internet signal.
She added that the LGUs and the telecommunication companies will be assisting them in the activity.
“They may also report lost or stolen phones as well as report spam,” she said.
Maningding urged the public to register their SIM cards in accordance with Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM Registration Act.
“This is helpful to trace people behind anonymous numbers and would be of great help to law enforcement,” she said.
She assured the public that the data provided by users will be safe and remain confidential.
“If there will be a breach of confidentiality, the telcos will face up to PHP500,000 to PHP4 million fine,” she said.
Maningding also urged the public to be truthful in the data they will be providing upon registration.
“If it will be proven that the subscriber used fake information, he or she may face six months to two years imprisonment and a fine of PHP100,000 to PHP300,000,” she said.
The NTC is not recommending going through a third party to register their SIM cards as the registration is simple and free.
Maningding said all residents, including foreigners and minors are required to register their SIM cards to be able to use their mobile phones.
She said failure to register one’s SIM card will lead to the deactivation of the cellphone number.
“The subscriber may appeal to the telcos within five days but after that, it will be totally deactivated,” she added.
The SIM card registration will run from Dec. 27, 2022, until April 26, 2023. (PNA)
