Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 24) — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reminded the public on Monday that SIM registration is free of charge amid reports some individuals are asking for a fee in exchange for assistance.
NTC Deputy Commissioner Jon Paulo Salvahan said they received complaints that there are some charging as low as ₱10 to assist others.
“We reminded the public po, the SIM registration is free. Wala pong charge dapat ito. Pinag-iingat po namin ang ating kababayan sa mga nag-aalok ng tulong na yan lalo na yung private individual dahil sinusumite niyo nga po sa kanila ang inyong personal data,” he told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon.
[Translation: We reminded the public that SIM registration is free. This should have no charge. We urge the public to be careful when they receive offers of help in registering because you are submitting personal data.]
Salvahan clarified only currently active SIM cards are covered by the April 26 deadline. Those who are buying new SIM cards after the deadline can still register and have them activated after completing the process.
Aiza, a SIM seller in Manila, said she is hesitant to assist mobile users since she feels she may be violating their privacy by seeing their personal information.
“Minsan po namimilit po sila na i-register SIM nila. Isang beses sinabi ko, what if scammer yung ireregister ko, tapos sa akin babalik? Ako yung mapapahamak doon,” she said.
“Hindi ko po iaano pag hindi ko kilala. Kasi sinasabi ko mga personal information po kasi nila yun. Kaya hindi po pwede na ako magregister. Tinuturuan ko nalang po sila,” Aiza explained.
[Translation: They can get insistent when asking for their SIMs to be registered. One time I said what if I was helping a scammer and it all comes back to me? I would be implicated. If I don’t know the person, I will not help. I cannot register for them, but I will tell them how to do it.]
Telecommunications firms Globe, Smart and DITO offer assisted registration sites in some parts of the country, including their stores in malls. The companies said some local government units (LGUs) also assist their residents in SIM registration.
Only 82,845,397 or 49.31% of over 168 million total SIM cards have been registered as of April 23.
Salvahan said the NTC met with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the telco firms on Monday to discuss several issues including the possible extension of the April 26 deadline. Salvahan said it’s best to wait for the DICT’s announcement on the matter.
The DICT earlier said the deadline stays despite the request from telcos for an extension due to low registration turnout. The agency also reminded Filipinos to maximize the remaining days left to register since failure to do so will result in deactivation of their SIM.
Under the law, the DICT can extend the deadline for up to 120 days. The measure also states that users have five (5) days from the deadline to reactivate their SIMs or it will be permanently deactivated and they have to buy a new one.
NTC on Globe’s use of emergency text alerts
Salvahan said they are aware of the use of Globe Telecom of the emergency cell broadcast system over the weekend which drew flak from netizens. Globe earlier said that they were given clearance by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and received no objections on this.
He explained it’s not clear under the law which agencies can give clearance in using this system, which is usually used to warn people of flooding due to typhoons or earthquakes.
“Yung Globe po was given a clearance by the NDRRMC. But in so far as the NTC is concerned po, wala po kaming clearance na ibinigay diyan to use the emergency alert po ng Globe,” he said.
[Translation: Globe was given clearance by the NDRRMC. But in so far as the NTC is concerned, we have not given clearance to use Globe’s emergency alert.]
