No extension of SIM card registration ‘at this point’: DICT

MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Wednesday the April 26 deadline for SIM card registration period remains “at this point.”

The agency made the statement after the request of public telecommunications entities Globe, Smart, and DITO Telecommunications to extend the registration period.

“With the 26 April 2023 registration deadline drawing near, we encourage everyone to register to promote the responsible use of SIMs and provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools to crack down on perpetrators who use SIMs for their crimes, consistent with the declared policy of the law,” the statement read.

The DICT also reminded the public that non-registration of SIM cards would result in their deactivation, barring them from receiving and sending calls and text messages and accessing mobile applications and digital wallets.

“The DICT reiterates that the SIM Registration Act places primacy on the fundamental rights of Filipinos and is replete with safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and security of user data,” it said.

National Telecommunications Commission data show that as of April 18, about 5,399,998 or 36.08 percent have registered for DITO; 32,224,277 or 37.15 percent for Globe; and 36,558,127 or 55.14 percent for Smart for a total of 74,182,402.

Registered users, the NTC said, make up 44.15 percent of these active mobile subscribers.

Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in October 2022.

The 180-day registration period commenced on Dec. 27, 2022, and may be extended by another 120 days, if needed.

The public may register in these portals: Smart - smart.com.ph/ simreg or simreg.smart.com.ph; Globe - new.globe.com.ph/simreg; DITO - https://digital.dito. ph/pto/download/app. ■