By Christian Dee
MANILA, Philippines – Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario encourages the Department of Information and Communications Technology on Wednesday, April 19, to move the SIM card registration deadline to August 2023.
In a press statement, Almario said that SIM registry turnout remains low until now and it has to increase before the deadline.
“Almario, who co-authored the measure and was a member of the bicameral committee that finalized the House and Senate versions of the bill, recalls that they foresaw the possibility of a low registry turnout, particularly to those living in far-flung areas. That’s why they specifically put the 120-day extension provision,” the statement read.
Citing the 36.79 percent SIM registry turnout declared by the DICT and the fast approach of the measure’s deadline, Almario urges the agency to set the “final and non-extendable deadline.”
“Let us be reminded that R.A. 11934 [SIM Registration ACT] aims to provide safer online space for the Filipino people,” the solod said.
“Ensuring that a wider expanse of SIM card users is aware of the benefits of this law will fast-track its successful implementation, curb wireless technology-aided criminal activities, and, ultimately, promote public safety,” he added.
The solon pointed out that the existing and currently used SIM cards will be deactivated automatically after the 120-day extension if the subscribers did not register.
From that point, the unregistered SIM card users will be forced to buy new SIM cards or to have their cards reactivated.