Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Friday stood firm on the July 25 SIM registration deadline as it noted that authorities and telecommunication firms are within their target numbers, while users were given ample time to register.
\”Base sa datos from some of the telcos, yung mga tinatawag na revenue generating SIM kumbaga itong mga SIM na nagbabayad ng postpaid, nasa 99% na sila. I think we’re already there. Yung iba either talagang pasaway or ginagamit for scams at hindi talaga sila magpaparehistro,\” DICT Secretary Ivan Uy said.
[Translation: Based on the data of telcos, the so-called revenue generating SIM, which are postpaid SIM are at 99%. I think we’re already there. The others are either really stubborn or using the SIM for scams and they really won’t register.]
The DICT noted that 104,334,729 users have registered their SIM as of July 19. It earlier said the total subscriber base was over 168 million.
Uy said the extension of the original April 26 deadline paved the way for users in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) to register. Telco firms deployed more assisted registration sites to far-flung areas with little to no connectivity.
\”Remember noong last deadline at nagpa-extend tayo [when we extended the deadline], we were able to register an additional 20.3 million during the extension,\” Uy said.
\”Majority from them [additional registrants] are from the GIDA areas. So sinagad na natin yung [we exhausted their] efforts on that,\” he added.
Uy again warned the public of the proliferation of scammers in the days leading up to the deadline. He cited the increase in scammers, who have shifted from text messages to social media platforms.
\”Huwag na huwag ninyo pong ibenta ang inyong mga credentials sa pagkarehistro ng SIM o pagka-open ng e-wallet accounts. Dahil mananagot rin po kayo dahil pangalan ninyo po ang nakasalalay sa registration na yun,\” Uy said.
[Translation: Never sell your SIM registration credentials or e-wallet account because you will also be held liable since your name is the one registered.]
Unregistered SIM will be deactivated on July 26, meaning users can no longer send or receive texts, calls, use mobile data and possibly lose access to e-wallets.
However, Jon Paulo Salvahan, National Telecommunications Commission Deputy Commissioner, told CNN Philippines Newsroom Ngayon that SIM users may still receive reminders from telcos to reactivate their SIM.
Users may reactivate their SIM from July 26 to 30, Salvahan said.
“By July 31, ma de-deactivate na talaga permanently yung SIM ninyo,” Salvahan said.
[Translation: By July 31, your SIM will be permanently deactivated.]
